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.

Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful places on Earth

Bora Bora: secluded, spectacular, sublime… it has been called Heaven on Earth, the Romantic Island, the Pearl of the Pacific, and so much more. But it is not just for honeymooners. Families will be delighted to explore this year-round paradise whose average temperature (both air and water) remains pleasantly in the high 70s Fahrenheit. It is a haven that invigorates the senses and titillates the imagination.

French Polynesian Cuisine

The food is fresh and delicious

One of the best things about visiting someplace new, is getting immersed in the culture. And food is an important part of a society’s culture. French Polynesian food blends traditional Tahitian fare with French flair. The result is a delicious fusion of fresh fish, seafood, meats and vegetables prepared with fruit emulsions that lend a tasty tanginess to things like mahi-mahi, snapper, sautéed prawns, poultry and roasted pork. A variety of pastas and risottos are usually available as well, since Asian and Italian influences are also found in the local cuisine.

The island’s vanilla and coconut are infused into local desserts

Their raw fish delicacy poisson cru (also locally known as ota ika) is marinated in lime and coconut with diced vegetables, which is very customary in the Tahitian islands and not to be missed. Many of the sauces feature hints of vanilla, coconut and banana, as do the enticing deserts which are inspired by the island’s flora.

Even the finicky tastes of children are met by the simple kids’ menus featuring fresh meals made with little eaters in mind. Things like chicken, pasta, rice, fruit and vegetables, crispy pizza, and fish and chips.

Accommodations & Activities

The over-water bungalows are spectacular

Bora Bora is known for its alluring accommodations that include the dreamy over-water bungalows set right above the lagoon, villas spread out along the beach, or cottages nestled into the verdant hillsides. A variety of options for budget-minded travelers and luxury seekers abound. Unlike those imposing high-rise hotels that dominate the landscape, the rustic thatched-roofed villas blend unobtrusively in the island setting with an understated elegance. They are discreetly luxurious down to the gleaming marble tiles, plush beds and linens, hardwood floors, wood-paneled walls, and an array of modern amenities like televisions and internet access that blend all the comforts of home with an appealing Polynesian South Pacific décor. Pensions and family run guest homes in the style of a bed-and-breakfast inn are also available throughout Bora Bora.

The vistas are gorgeous

Contrary to the many large, crowded resorts and tourist meccas around the world that have become so commercialized, Bora Bora retains that primitive feel that makes it so attractive to visitors. This is not a place for those in search of a thrumming nightlife that blares loudly with human activity and entertainment. It is a place to disconnect from the harried momentum of life, and enjoy the basic elements in all their natural wonder, without the Xbox, noisy video games, blaring televisions and digital devices.

Secluded white sand beaches await by the lagoon

The pace here is slow, the breeze is constant, the stars are bright in the night sky, and the quiet hush lulls one into a spiritual sense of well-being with the ebb and flow of the undulating tide’s hypnotic rhythm. Only the occasional strum of a ukulele, or the tempo of a low beating drum sounding in the distance add to the primitive feel of this South Pacific retreat.

Resorts blend beautifully with the island

Most of the resorts on Bora Bora offer a swimming pool, internet access, one or more dining options, and non-motorized water sports like snorkeling, paddle boarding and kayaking. Many also have a modest fitness center, a boutique or gift shop, and a spa. But keep in mind that an island escape to a place like Bora Bora, is just that: an escape. It is quiet and peaceful, without the hustle and bustle of larger resorts. Most guests enjoy soaking up the sun on the beach, by the pool, or on the private deck of their bungalow. Others prefer strolling on the beach, going for a swim, or exploring the shimmering water of the gorgeous lagoon, which is always warm, inviting and amazingly clear.

EXCURSIONS

There are lots of uninhabited islets waiting to be explored

Some of the popular excursions that can be arranged include shark and ray feedings, submarine reef tours, hiking tours, jeep tours of the main island’s interior jungle, jet ski rentals, fishing expeditions, scuba diving, and private picnics on a secluded motu islet where guests can enjoy the tranquility and thrill of discovering a small deserted island for themselves.

Bloody Mary’s is one of the popular restaurants in town

The main island of Bora Bora is accessible by a short water taxi ride from all the surrounding motu and has great sightseeing opportunities in the town. History lovers will enjoy visiting the World War II relics and memorabilia of the American military base that maintained artillery guns in defense of a possible attack at the time.

Visitors can also go shopping for black pearls and other island souvenirs, as well as visit a variety of restaurants for a bite to eat including the popular Bloody Mary’s known for its delicious selection of food and beverages, and long list of celebrity guests that have visited and dined there over the years.

Tips for Parents

Air Tahiti Nui is French Polynesia’s airline

Let’s face it: Bora Bora is expensive. And unless money is no object, a Tahitian escape requires some budgeting and planning. Visitors first fly to Papeete in Tahiti before venturing off to the surrounding islands and their motu. But there are special offers for families that make this piece of paradise more affordable. Air Tahiti Nui sometimes lures families with airfare deals, such as kids eleven years of age and younger fly free with every adult ticket purchased. This means that a family of four whose two children are under twelve, can fly for the price of two tickets. It’s an offer you cannot refuse, and worth looking into ahead of time so that an opportunity like this is not missed.

Many of the resorts also offer meal plans where children can eat for free with paying adults, as well as meal-inclusive accommodation packages. It keeps the overall price of paradise more accessible to mortals venturing from across the vast Pacific Ocean.

From everywhere on the island, the surrounding lagoon beckons

Bora Bora is remote in every sense of the word. It is best to pack essentials like sunblock, medicines, bug repellant and toiletry items to keep from having to scramble and purchase these things which can be very expensive on the island. Better to bring your own items where possible, including an assortment of snacks that can be kept in the room. The main town does have an affordable market where guests can stock up on food, beverages, and other necessities to tide little ones over between meals, though a water taxi must be taken into the town and back. But the irresistible French baguette bread that is baked fresh daily there makes it very worthwhile.

A piece of paradise in the South Pacific

Your children will not be plugged into electronic devices here. They will not play video games or gape at the television. But they will go searching for the hermit crabs that scurry along the white sands. They will chase after geckos in the dappled shade of the palm trees, they will build sandcastles and sea forts, splash through the blue waters of the lagoon, count all the fish they see, smell the flowers whose fragrance fills the air, climb some of the low branches of trees, collect coconuts from the beach, swing on hammocks, feed the fish off a deck, and simply stretch their limbs and imaginations with wonder and enthusiasm as children are meant to do in the freedom of this sanctuary.

This Pearl of the Pacific is everything an exotic island getaway should be, and the kind of place that haunts the imagination long after visiting.

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Bora Bora – History and Wildlife

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.