Ice Hotel – Sweden

Ice Hotel
photo by Laplandish / CC BY-SA 3.0

Constructed of ice and snow, Ice Hotel is a splendid work of art carved and sculpted by the hands of international artists, designers and architects with an eye for singular beauty that is unforgettable. This amazing hotel is open from December to mid-April, after which it melts away back into the Torne River from where the ice is harvested annually.

Four Seasons Resort – Bora Bora 

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
photo by Moeava de Rosemont
courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Arguably the best way to experience the magic of Bora Bora in Tahiti, nothing quite beats staying in a bungalow over the jewel-toned colors of this sanctuary’s lagoon. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora has captured the essence of the Tahitian spirit with its spacious accommodations that include teak furniture, thatched roofs and Polynesian decor that puts you right in the beautiful South Pacific.

Selous Serena Camp – Tanzania 

Selous Serena Camp
courtesy of Serena Hotels

Located on the largest game reserve in Africa, Selous Serena Camp is found in Tanzania, along the east coast of the African continent. This wilderness retreat offers safari camping which would be better defined as “glamping” – glamorous camping. The luxurious facilities include twelve luxury tents with ensuite bathrooms, plush rugs, crystal chandeliers, and elegant rosewood furniture. Breathtaking, panoramic views of this World Heritage Site make a stay here unlike any other.  The rolling savannah, rivers and dense forests are like something out of an Ernest Hemingway novel.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Finland

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
courtesy of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

The glass igloos at Hotel Kakslaurttanen in Finland are spectacular. The pristine wilderness surroundings make a splendid backdrop to the luxurious accommodations of this remarkable resort. Nothing beats a wilderness retreat where you can stare at the starry sky and northern lights while wrapped in the warmth and comfort of this enchanting igloo.

Fairy Chimney Inn – Turkey

Fairy Chimney Inn
photo by Curious Expeditions

Once belonging to a 1,500-year-old hidden Byzantine cave monastery, most of the rooms at the Fairy Chimney Inn in Cappadocia, Turkey are carved right out of the tufa rock cones that are common to this area. The region is renowned for its history and rocky landscaping, which lends itself well to the hotel that blends beautifully with its surroundings. It makes for a fascinating immersive experience.

Hotel de Glace – Canada 

Hotel de Glace
photo by Matias Garabedian

Hotel de Glace is another masterpiece made from ice and snow. Its ice sculptures and artwork create a magical mood that seems to transport guests to a mythical world that dazzles at every turn. Hotel de Glace is open from early January through late March, and offers visitors a Nordic experience with gorgeous themed suites artistically designed with subtle lighting and details that are simply stunning.

Montana Magica – Chile 

Montana Magica
photo by Christian Cordova

Montana Magica is nestled within the remote Patagonian Rainforest in Chile. Located in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, there are waterfalls, rivers, estuaries and the rainforest teeming with lush wildlife that creates an exceptional experience in this pinnacle-roofed lodge. Excursions at this unspoiled setting include things like ziplining through the forest, kayaking in the Fuy River, and hiking through the mystical rainforest.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – Dubai 

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
photo by ernieski

Billed as the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai is shaped like the sail of a ship, and is quite stunning considering it appears to float upon the sapphire sea. The hotel prides itself on its unparalleled service and luxury, like discreet check-in, private receptions and butler service. It is an iconic symbol of Dubai.

San Alfonso del Mar – Chile 

Aerial view of San Alfonso Del Mar
courtesy of San Alfonso del Mar

San Alfonso del Mar in Santiago, Chile holds the world’s record for the largest swimming pool. It stretches over one kilometer lengthwise! This crystalline lagoon is perfect for sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, swimming and more. The white sands of its private beaches are as alluring as the turquoise waters of this spectacular salt-water lagoon.

Ariau Amazon Towers – Brazil 

Ariau Amazon Towers

This luxurious treetop hotel is tucked within the Amazon Rainforest. Ariau Amazon Towers is located on the banks of the Rio Negro about 35 miles from the city of Manaus in Brazil. The accommodations are connected by more than five miles of wooden catwalks cutting through the canopy of the rainforest where colorful macaws and curious monkeys frolic in the trees, high above the forest floor. The scenery of this jungle paradise is like something out of the legend of Tarzan.

Partial aerial view of Bora Bora

Surrounded by a barrier reef and a lagoon in variegated hues of pale turquoise and aquamarine, the island of Bora Bora rises from the sea with the two summits of Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia—from a single extinct volcano in the island’s center—reaching for the sky. Several smaller islets called motu ring the main island, where an assortment of resorts await.

A Moorish Idol glides peacefully by

Fragrant trade winds sweep over Bora Bora with its fertile cliffs, white sand beaches, and black volcanic rocks that provide a striking contrast to the crystalline lagoon waters lapping at the shore. Its year-round balmy  climate ranges a comfortable high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, and beckons tourists from all over the world, whose imaginations regarding this South Pacific paradise can only be exceeded by the haunting beauty of this island that is home to the most beautiful beaches in the world.

This “Pearl of the Pacific” is known for its breathtaking beauty and gracious people who—like the exquisite black Tahitian pearls that are found in this part of the world—are the true gems of this island.

History & Myths

Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu rising through a cloud of mist above the lagoon

Bora Bora, along with all of Tahiti and the five archipelagoes which comprise French Polynesia—including the Society Islands (Tahiti), the Marquesas, the Australs, the Gambier Islands, and the Tuamotus—all share a history steeped in culture, myths and legends.

Creation myths of ancestral Polynesians believed that the sky’s great dome was supported by pillars, and that it reflected the ocean’s vast surface. With this in mind, the ancient Polynesians developed navigation techniques through their observation of the location and paths of certain stars, the sun, and the moon, as well as the weather, wind, and waves of the ocean. They also studied the migration patterns of birds, and utilized their impressive oral culture that passed down traditions and skills along many generations.

NASA photo of Bora Bora

The ancient Polynesians originated from Southeast Asia. They were sea-migrating people who traveled in large double-hulled pirogues called Pahi after which our modern-day catamaran is designed. Since they did not have the use of writing, they knotted wood chips and shells to help them map and navigate the unknown waters as they headed courageously towards the eastern islands of the Pacific well over two thousand years ago between 900 BC and AD 1000.

The Lagoon waters are crystal clear

Many centuries later in the 1700s, Tahiti and the Society Islands were found by European navigators who discovered an intriguing civilization that had colonized the islands long before. The indigenous Polynesians were organized in society kingdoms of loose chieftainships. Today’s Tahitians, Tongans, Samoans, Hawaiians, Niueans, Marquesans, Cook Islanders, and Maorians are all genetically linked, and share in a rich culture whose languages, diets, traditions and  customs have many similarities.

Bora Bora was once called Mai Te Pora, meaning “created by the gods.” Over time its name changed to Pora Pora, meaning “first born,” as it was believed to have been the first island to rise from the sea after Raiatea. Ancient outdoor stone temples called maraes can be found throughout the island. The maraes were sacred places used for ceremonial purposes which included the offering of sacrifices. They were rectangular sections bordered with stones, some of which were decorated with petroglyphs that can still be seen today.

Plants & Wildlife

The water’s visibility is amazing

Bora Bora is home to abundant marine life that dwells in the coral reefs of its lagoons. There are stingrays and leopard rays that look like they are flying through the crystal depths of the water with the graceful movement of their wing-like pectoral fins. Sea slugs, sea cucumbers and moray eels peek out among the rocks whose crevices shelter clams and sea urchins with their black spikes that are reminiscent of the quills of a porcupine. Octopuses appear to scurry along the sea floor as they push through the water, raising a sandy cloud in their wake, then hiding among the coral and rocks where they change colors to camouflage themselves against would-be predators.

The lagoon is like a giant aquarium

Tropical fish of all shapes and sizes glide in a parade of color, where they eye human spectators with casual interest. Everything from iridescent butterflyfish, clownfish and stripped angelfish, to long thin needle fish and trumpet fish, puffer fish, green sea turtles and so much more, can be admired by snorkelers and divers alike in this underwater haven. The water is warm with superbly clear visibility, inviting even the most timid swimmers for an exploratory dip of this marine oasis.

A ficus stakes its claim on the island

Bora Bora’s lush vegetation includes a colorful variety of fruit, flowers, and trees that provide refuge to the island’s many birds, geckos, skinks, hermit and coconut crabs. Colorful Lorikeets, white-capped fruit-doves, kingfishers, sandpipers, ground-doves, and reed-warblers that are endemic to French Polynesia, are a few of the species that reflect the splendor of the island.

The hibiscus flower symbolizes fertility and beauty

This blooming paradise is made intensely fragrant by such delicate flowers as the white Tahitian Tiare—the flower of Tahiti, gardenia, jasmine, flowering vines of many species, and vibrant hibiscus in stunning shades that can be found all over Bora Bora.

Palm trees bend gracefully, reaching out toward the water, while others bear the heavy clusters of their coconuts with ease. Passion fruit trees, bread fruit, banana, papaya and tamarind among others also flourish here, while birds of paradise, macaw flowers, and red ginger grow in tall spikes from the greenery.

Tips for Parents

SAFETY

The tropical fish are beautiful

While the splendor of the plants and wildlife beckon onlookers for a closer look, visitors need to be cautious as some things can be harmful if touched or handled. Fish like the reef stonefish, lionfish and scorpionfish have venomous spines. Spiny sea urchins can be quite painful if accidentally stepped on, so water shoes are highly recommended and can be purchased ahead of time almost anywhere. There are handy brochures which clearly picture and describe all the fish and sea life one might encounter, so that parents can be informed, and go with peace of mind. The safest approach is to admire without touching for one’s own protection and the preservation of the wildlife and their unspoiled habitat.

A local crab waves hello

The natural beauty of Tahiti is what most captivates guests, leaving them spellbound by its intriguing history and lushness. It is a far-off place one only dreams about, having inspired many films, writers, navigators like Alain Gerbault and Paul Emile Victor, and renowned artists like Paul Gauguin who was a French Post-Impressionist influenced by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. The beauty of Tahiti and its gracious people haunted Gauguin’s imagination with a vibrancy that has immortalized his work.

And just as it has done with many who have visited this South Pacific paradise before, Bora Bora will leave you spellbound as well.