Daily Archives: July 23, 2023

Summer in Europe is synonymous with island hopping, but there are some islands that travelers may not even have on their radar. While most people are familiar with famous getaway spots like Santorini, Mykonos, and Ibiza, there are many beautiful islands in Europe that are far less busy and more affordable. Find out which islands in Europe are the best places to visit this summer and which tours to book while there. These exciting excursions offer a chance to make the most of limited time on these idyllic European islands.

Aerial view of Mallorca Spain

Besides Ibiza, Mallorca (Majorca) might be Spains most famous island. This island is part of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. Its got tons of beautiful beach resorts and hiking trails and is a popular destination for cycling.

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Paleokastritsa beach on the Island of Corfu, Greece

Greece has many popular islands that attract millions of international tourists each year. While many people picture the white-washed buildings and blue dome roofs of the Cyclades when they think of the Greek islands, Corfu offers another type of escape. Located in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is a great jumping-off point for exploring nearby Albania or venturing south to other Greek islands. Mountain landscapes and resorts lining the coast make Corfu a beautiful and intriguing summer destination.

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Crystalline water of Malo Zarace Beach, Hvar Island, Croatia

Croatia has a beautiful coastline, but it also has idyllic islands to explore. Hvar is one of the best islands to visit in Europe this summer. Its located in the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by vibrant turquoise waters. Its easy to reach Hvar by ferry from Split.

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Related: Brac Vs. Hvar: Which One To Choose For A Croatia Vacation?

People crossing the bridge to Eilean Donan Castle which is located on Kyle Of Lochalsh which overlooks the Isle of Skye

Perhaps this isnt the type of island that springs to mind when thinking of summer in European - its not a Mediterranean paradise, but the Isle of Skye is magical in its own way. Swim in fairy pools, hike in rugged landscapes, and relax at a Scottish pub after a day of exploring.

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Related: Is The Beautiful & Distant Isle Of Skye Actually Worth Visiting?

An ariel view ofCala Mariolu, Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is a gorgeous Italian island in the Mediterranean that offers magnificent natural attractions like Neptunes Grotto or Cala Luna by the sea. Upscale resorts and scenic views are abundant in this European paradise.

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A nature trail in Madeira, Portugal

Madeira, Portugal, is just as worthy of a summer visit as Faro on the countrys mainland. Madeira is an autonomous region of 4 islands off the coast of Portugal. Dramatic landscapes, epic hiking trails, and beautiful beaches ensure travelers will make unforgettable memories here. Renting a car is the best way to get around the island or book a tour with private transfers.

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Related: 10 Things To Do In Madeira: Complete Guide To Vineyards, Islands, & More

A panoramic view of Corsica, France

While many tourists head to Paris in the summer, travelers should opt for the French island of Corsica instead. As the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean, it offers plenty to see and do, plus dreamy beaches and a vibrant gastronomy scene. The key to visiting Corsica on a budget is to spend time outdoors in the islands beautiful nature.

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While French is widely spoken in Corsica, it might surprise travelers to know that the local dialect is Corsu, which is similar to Tuscan (Italian).

Kleftiko, Milos island, Cyclades, Greece

Skip the expensive islands of Mykonos and Santorini this summer in favor of a more affordable Greek island with just as much to offer. Milos is quickly gaining popularity as an island in the Cyclades that has beautiful coastal towns, epic beaches, and excellent cuisine.

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View of Capri's beautiful harbor

Another dreamy Italian island to consider visiting this summer is Capri. Located in the Bay of Naples, Capri is famous for the Blue Grotto, a sea cave with otherworldly blue waters. Travelers can reach Capri by boat from the Italian cities of Naples or Sorrento.

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Valletta cityscape in Malta

Malta is an island nation in the Mediterranean that is the epitome of summer in Europe. Located between Sicily, Italy, and the coast of North Africa, Malta offers a rich history, vibrant blue waters, and upscale hotels. Travelers can spend a full week or more in Malta without seeing everything it has to offer.

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These Are The 10 Best Islands To Visit In Europe This Summer - TheTravel

FIRST ON FOX:The Democrat tech billionaire who helped rehabJeffrey Epstein'simage and visited his island has poured thousands in donations into several vulnerable Senate races across the country.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman recently gave the maximum donations of $6,600 each to the campaigns of Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.,and Bob Casey, D-Pa.,according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

All three races are considered battlegrounds going into Election Day 2024.

BILLIONAIRE WHO VISITED EPSTEIN ISLAND DROPS MASSIVE SIX-FIGURE DONATION BACKING BIDENS REELECTION BID

News of the donations come afterthe Wall Street Journal reported in May that Hoffman visited Epsteins private Caribbean island, called Little St. James, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, on at least one occasion in 2014.

Hoffman and the now-deceased convicted pedophile were planning to return to the island in November 2014, and then travel to Boston, the report said. It's unclear what the intent was for those planned trips, but the report also revealed Hoffman was planning to stay at Epsteins luxury Manhattan townhouse in December 2014 after a late arrival in New York City.

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Hoffman also sent the maximum $6,600 donation on June 14 to the campaign of California Democrat Will Rollins, who is again trying to grab a congressional seat after a narrow loss during the 2022 elections, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday.

Fox News Digital also reported this week that the Biden Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee authorized by the Biden campaign, received a whopping $699,600.00 donation from Hoffman on April 26 and a maximum donation of $6,600 went directly to Bidens campaign.

Hoffman recently made headlines in June after Biden attended a fundraiser the billionaire hosted on behalf of the Biden Victory Fund at the private residence of Shannon Hunt-Scott and Kevin Scott in Los Gatos, California.

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Hoffman told The Journal in May it "gnaws at" him that his association with Epstein "helped his reputation, and thus delayed justice for his survivors."

"My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015. Still, by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice," Hoffman said in 2019. "For this, I am deeply regretful."

The 2015 interaction was when he invited Epstein to a Silicon Valley dinner with tech industry leaders.

In September that same year, Hoffman attended a state dinner hosted by then-Vice President Biden at the White House in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Fox News Digital has previously reported that Hoffman's money also goes into nontraditional groups that aren't mandated to report their funding and often operate in the shadows. He was forced to issue an apology in 2018 for funding a group that falsely tried to give an impression that the Russian government was supporting Alabama Republican Roy Moore in a 2017 special Senate election.

Biden has benefited from Hoffman's lavish spending on campaign contributions, donating $1.5 million to a super PAC that supported Biden's candidacy in the 2020 election as well as the maximum individual dollar amount allowed to Biden's campaign, according to FEC records.

Such spending can come with certain perks such as access. According to White House visitor logs, Hoffman visited the White House five times last year.One of the visits appears to have been for the state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron. The other four trips were for meetings with Madeline Strasser, who at the time advised then-White House chief of staff Ron Klain; Kimberly Lang, who at the time was the executive assistant to Biden's national security adviser; and Jordan Finkelstein, a special assistant to Biden and chief of staff to the president's senior adviser.

Hoffman and the campaigns for Tester, Rosen, and Casey did not respond to Fox News Digitals requests for comment.

Fox NewsJoe Schoffstall, Aaron Kliegmanand Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.

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Billionaire who visited Epstein island pours thousands into coffers of vulnerable Dem Senate races - Yahoo News

After a two-week handover delay, Explora Journeys has taken delivery of its first ship, Explora I, a luxury cruise ship built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

The 64,000-gross ton vessel is the first of four sister ships that will be operated by Explora Journeys, a brand of MSC Group, which also owns MSC Cruises.

Explora Journeys, the new luxury lifestyle brand of MSC Group, celebrated the July 20, 2023 handover of its first cruise ship, Explora I, at a ceremony held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, where the vessel has been under construction since 2021.

The delivery came roughly two weeks after the ships originally planned handover date of July 6, 2023. Explora Journeys announced on July 5 that the ships debut would be postponed due to supply chain issues and the need for enhancements to the vessel. At the same time, the ships naming ceremony, planned for July 8 in Rome, also was canceled.

Top executives from the cruise line and the shipyard were in attendance as the luxury brand marked the handover milestone.

Today is a historic day, and represents a decisive step in our growth path, because it marks the entry of the MSC Group into the luxury travel sector, said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division at MSC Group.

Vago said that the luxury travel segment has strong growth prospects, and Explora Journeys will redefine existing luxury standards.

Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, said, We have pushed the boundaries of innovation and design to create a ship that embodies our commitment to excellence. With the delivery of Explora I our vision to provide unparalleled luxury experiences has become an incredible reality.

The 922- guest ship was constructed with state-of-the-art environmental and marine technologies, and was designed with the lines Homes at Sea theme, which promises a residential-style quality to accommodations and services.

The ship, built at a cost of about $600 million, has 461 oceanfront suites and penthouses, all with private terraces, and features six restaurants, a dozen bars and lounges, four pools, 64 private cabanas, and a wide range of spa and wellness facilities.

The ship will depart on her maiden voyage on August 1, 2023 from Copenhagen, and operate a 7-night sailing to Reykjavik, Iceland, with port calls to Lerwick, Shetland Islands, and Kirkwall, Orkney.

Had the ship been delivered on schedule, Explora I was scheduled to sail her maiden cruise on July 17 from Southampton, UK. The 15-night itinerary was to include the Norwegian Fjords and the Arctic Circle, with debarkation in Copenhagen.

Also postponed was the ships christening ceremony. The cruise line had announced that the ships godmother was to be Dr. Sylvia Earle, the renowned American oceanographer, explorer, biologist, and conservationist. A new christening date has not been announced.

While Explora Journeys did not specify the cause of the ships launch delay, its postponement coincided with industry reports that a manufacturer of fire-safe insulation panels used in cruise ships had failed safety certification testing of its product.

Some cruise watchers had posited that the ship could have been constructed with those panels, which needed immediate replacement. However, there is no confirmation that was the case.

Following her maiden voyage, Explora I is scheduled to spend the remainder of the summer season sailing a series of Northern Europe cruises. Starting in November 2023, she will reposition to the Caribbean and offer cruises between Miami, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bridgetown, Barbados.

The ship will sail 7- to 14-night cruises on itineraries that vary by departure date. All itineraries include a call to MSC Cruises private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a 95-acre destination in the Bahamas.

Explora Journeys second ship, Explora II, is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, and is due to enter service in August 2024. Two more ships, Explora III and Explora IV, will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Both of those ships will be powered by liquified nitrogen gas (LNG).

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MSC's Explora Journeys Takes Delivery of First-Ever Cruise Ship - Cruise Hive

Amid a record-breaking surge of summer travel, a surprising destination has emerged as a favorite: the Caribbean.

While the warmer summer months usually represent a low season for Caribbean travel, the demand for this region seems hotter than ever, with a 48% increase in flight bookings over 2019 highs, according to ForwardKeys.

To the surprise of many travel critics and trendspotters, all-inclusive resorts are more popular than ever, even among millennial travelers who might be expected to opt for more boutique properties or bespoke travel experiences.

Many of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean are doing a better job than ever of offering both seclusion and personalized travel experiences that appeal to even the newest generations of travelers.

While many travelers' first image of Cuba is the colorful, historic buildings and vintage cars that contribute to the energy of the capital city of Havana, Cuba is also one of the premier beach destinations in the Caribbean.

While many beaches on neighboring Caribbean islands are overdeveloped and over-touristed, many of Cuba's beaches remain untouched and pristine. For many travelers even those from the United States Cuba can be a perfect beach destination for a unique and secluded stay in paradise.

Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski is among the most impressive resorts in Cuba and is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. The resort is nestled along the white sands of Cayo Guillermo, one of the thousands of tiny white sand cays surrounding the Cuban mainland. Part of the prestigious Kempinski brand, known as the oldest luxury hotel brand in Europe and synonymous with elegance, it guarantees one of the most luxurious stays in Cuba.

The resort is home to 222 rooms and suites, 12 private villas, and seven unique overwater bungalows, which are some of the most you'll find outside of the Maldives. Suspended over crystal waters and featuring spacious private patios and plunge pools, they offer another level of seclusion and luxury to a memorable stay.

Whether you stay in one of the resort's impressive suites or overwater bungalows, you'll be wowed by the incredible natural beauty of this white sand destination. The resort sits along Playa Pilar, considered among the best beaches in the Caribbean. This pristine beach was made famous by Ernest Hemingway's Islands in the Stream, which featured the beach after the author visited himself a number of times.

Direct flights from international airports and Jos Mart International Airport in Havana to Jardines del Rey International Airport in neighboring Cayo Coco make it easy to access this impressive resort.

Whether you're looking to add a stay at this all-inclusive resort for an addition to your Cuba itinerary or the sole destination of your vacation, it's sure to be a memorable trip.

For a secluded getaway, how does a private island resort sound? Nestled among some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the Caribbean, Ambergris Cay in Turks & Caicos is the perfect choice. The resort is spread across the 1,100-acre island, most of which remains untouched and undeveloped, rimmed with stunning white sand beaches.

Offering just ten suites and seven private villas, Ambergris Cay ensures its guests the highest level of seclusion and privacy whether you're looking for a beachfront pool suite with a private plunge pool for the ultimate romantic getaway, or a spacious six-bedroom villa with over 10,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space for a family vacation of a lifetime.

Ambergris Cay welcomes just a few guests at a time and offers the ultimate guest experience, complete with amenities you'd only expect at a much larger all-inclusive resort.

The resort recently completed an extensive refurbishment, adding a new dining venue to its enhanced main clubhouse, a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center, and an expanded and enhanced pool area, among an array of other impressive features and amenities. Whether you're looking forward to sticking close to your spacious suite or enjoying every amenity, you'll love what you find at Ambergris Cay.

Ambergris Cay is easily accessible via a 20-minute domestic flight from the international airport in Providenciales, which is well-served with multiple daily direct flights from the United States and beyond. It's a hassle-free way to reach the private island resort that will exceed your every expectation of an all-inclusive Caribbean resort getaway.

With its dense, lush jungles, soaring volcanoes, and rich reefs, the island of Dominica handily earns its name as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, offering an abundance of richness to the adventurous travelers that make it here. Jungle Bay is a perfect choice for an eco-luxury stay in a unique Caribbean resort bursting with all the verdant beauty and laid-back character of the island.

While there is no beachfront at Jungle Bay, you won't miss it. The resort sits perched on the hillside overlooking the fishing village of Soufriere, with stunning views overlooking Dominica's dramatic southern point and the Caribbean Sea. Jungle Bay features two incredible pools, each with mountain and ocean views better than the next.

Jungle Bay boasts sixty rooms and villas, though it maintains a boutique feel with personalized attention and service. The resort's grounds are covered with paths shaded with fruit trees and palms, giving the ultimate feeling of seclusion and privacy.

If you're looking for a romantic getaway, upgrade to one of the private villas. At around 800 square feet, they are spacious and include a large private terrace with a daybed. A massive indoor-outdoor shower room covered with natural stone and natural, locally-sourced furnishings invites the ultimate sense of bringing the Nature Island close.

While Jungle Bay isn't all-inclusive by design, it offers many all-inclusive packages so that guests can tailor their stay to make the best of the resort's amenities and the highlights of the island. The popular Active Wellness Package includes guided excursions, organic meals, and even spa treatments and airport transfers.

For adventurous travelers coming to experience Dominica's reefs, considered some of the best in the world, a dive-specific package offers everything you could need and more.

Recently opened as one of the most impressive luxury hotels in the Dominican Republic, Cayo Levantado Resort sits on a private island off the shores of the beachy Saman Peninsula. With an incredible array of activities and amenities to draw visitors, it's poised to be among the next best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean on your bucket list.

As part of the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, the luxurious resort represents a step further into the luxury sector for the Spanish Grupo Piero brand, which already owns a number of award-winning properties around the Caribbean.

Gorgeous suites and villas meet two pools, an impressive reflection and wellness space known as Yubarta for workshops and activities, and incredible white sand beach fronts for the Caribbean resort experience you're dreaming of.

Cayo Levantado Resort significantly emphasizes local culture and cuisine, an area many other luxury Caribbean resorts lack. Interior design concepts and furnishings are local in design and inspiration while keeping an elevated, breezy Caribbean feel. Guests can also try local favorite dishes, along with international cuisine, at any of the resort's eight restaurants and six bars.

Despite being relatively new to the scene, Cayo Levantado Resort is already making a big splash, promising to be an up-and-coming favorite among the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

Located off the coast of Belize, the private island resort Cayo Espanto is a favorite with the rich and famous, and it's easy to see why. This white sand private island is home to just seven private waterfront villas, each with its own private pool, patio, and ample space to enjoy lazy days along the clear waters of the Caribbean.

Cayo Espanto is the perfect spot to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, a healthy and colorful portion of the Mesoamerican Reef, the world's second-largest barrier reef. The resort is well-positioned for divers and snorkelers alike to enjoy access to the reef's incredible biodiversity.

Cayo Espanto is accessible by a quick 7-minute boat ride from San Pedro, Belize, which is just over two hours from many large cities in the United States. Or, for an even more hassle-free escape, fly in from the international airport on the resort's helicopter. The helicopter is also available for excursions.

From the air, take in Belize's one-of-a-kind marine sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole, on an unforgettable excursion. The resort can also arrange diving excursions to the Great Blue Hole for experienced divers to encounter a dive site unlike any other.

Whether you're looking for the seclusion of a private island vacation, the exclusivity of an overwater bungalow, or the incredible flavors only found in the Caribbean, consider these resorts for your next vacation. As resorts take the all-inclusive experience to the next level, you'll be hard-pressed not to fall in love with this style of travel all over again.

Carley Rojas Avila is an avid traveler, writer, and creator behind Home to Havana. Having traveled to twenty-five countries and spent years living abroad, she shares destination guides, travel tips, and hacks to help travelers and digital nomads feel at home when traveling off the beaten path, whether their travels take them to Havana or beyond.

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Paradise Found: Discover The 6 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in The ... - Wealth Of Geeks

Anse Source d'Argent in the Seychelles is smattered with gargantuan boulders that create winding passages, natural arches and tunnels to private slips of sand. Photo / 123RF

A trip to the Seychelles - despite its reputation for being expensive - can easily be done on the cheap, writes Julia Hammond.

If youve ever tried to imagine what paradise looks like, then get up early on the sleepy Seychellois island of La Digue. Grab your bicycle and pedal along a quiet back road shaded by trees until you reach Grand Anse, where granite boulders line a fat crescent of wheaten sand. The peeling paint on a battered sign advertises fresh coconuts, but it will be several hours before someone arrives to sell them. The many footsteps that scuff the surface of the beach suggest that therell be no shortage of customers when they do.

Fallen branches of palm trees form a makeshift path that beckons over the headland. It passes a pond where skinny coconut palms and weathered slabs of rock are reflected in the still water. The trail continues; sometimes a narrow strip of sand thats barely wide enough for me to squeeze through encroaching vegetation, other times a scramble up a rocky slope.

The reward is Petite Anse. When I get here, mine are the only footprints. Though others have been here before me, the receding tide has wiped away any trace of their presence.

In the soft light that follows the dawn, languid waves half-heartedly lap the shore, leaving tiny lace-like traces of foam that dissolve into the wet sand almost as quickly as they appear. As the sun musters strength, the sea brightens to a vivid turquoise. Luxuriant vegetation hints at tropical downpours but there is barely a cloud in the sky as I swim in the limpid water.

This became one of my favourite spots on La Digue: a million-dollar view that cost absolutely nothing. In fact, most of the islands beaches are free. One notable exception is Anse Source dArgent which forms part of LUnion Estate. This drop-dead gorgeous part of the coast polls well with visiting travellers, often ranking high on lists of the worlds best beaches. To see what all the fuss is about, youll need to pay an entrance fee of 115 Seychelles rupees (NZ$14), though Id venture youll think its worth it.

Your ticket covers more than the beach itself, including a stroll through a shady vanilla plantation. Coconuts are also grown here. The dried white pulp, called copra, is milled to produce coconut oil and you might catch a demonstration.

Youll definitely want to visit the estates Aldabra giant tortoises. These wrinkly old beasts were once found in large numbers all over the Seychelles until they were hunted almost to extinction. Today, the largest wild population numbering more than 150,000 can be found on the outlying Aldabra Atoll, but the cost of getting to this distant region is out of the reach of budget travellers. However, cycling around to the east side of La Digue one morning, I got lucky. I stopped for juice at an oceanfront bar; when I returned to the bike racks, a giant tortoise had taken up residence beside my back wheel. What was supposed to be a quick pitstop turned into an exercise in patience as I waited for it to finish its business and amble off.

Cash-strapped travellers will be pleased to learn that island-hopping is affordable. La Digue is connected to both Mahe and Praslin, the archipelagos two largest islands, by a regular ferry service. While not dirt cheap, its not what you would class as eye-wateringly expensive either. On Praslin, a 15-minute ride away, youll find the Vallee de Mai, a Unesco-listed nature reserve thats home to the largest seed in the world. Known as the coco de mer, it often elicits a giggle from visitors as its shape resembles the smooth curves of a pert derriere. Several hiking trails, varying in length between 1.5 and 4km, wind through the lush 19.5ha palm forest. Though its possible to book a tour, theres really no need as the bus stops right outside the entrance, where youll pay SCR450 (NZ$55) to get in.

Over on Mahe, there are a number of reasonably priced visitor attractions that can be slotted in between your beach days. In the capital, Victoria, learn about the nations past at the National Museum of History; entrance costs SCR150 (NZ$18). A kilometre away, the National Botanical Garden provides an introduction to Seychellois flora, with 280 endemic and ornamental plants to admire. Entry costs SCR250 (NZ$30) for non-residents. Le Jardin du Roi, above Anse Royale, is a wonderful spice garden boasting a small museum; tickets cost SCR150 (NZ$18).

Mahes La Plaine St Andre is the home of Takamaka rum. The history of this plantation can be traced back to 1792, and the rum thats bottled today draws on this rich heritage and Creole traditions. Once, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut and patchouli were produced for export to Europe; now, local ingredients are used to flavour the rum. Guided tours of the estate are free; rum tastings can be added for SCR125 (NZ$15) per person.

If you prefer to drink tea, then youll want to visit the SeyTe factory in the hills above Port Glaud. A short tour provides an overview of the processes from drying to packing and theres a small shop if youre keen to buy some flavoured teas to take home. Theres a stellar view over the coast from up here. Hike through more of the verdant Morne Seychellois National Park, following the Morne Blanc or Copolia trails, to explore the islands mountainous interior. Watch where you tread: the tiny Gardiners Seychelles frog, found above 150m, is only the size of your fingernail.

The Seychelles has a reputation for being expensive. Rooms at one of the many five-star resorts set you back at least a couple of thousand dollars a night, while a secluded villa on a private island can easily run to five times that amount. But its also possible to holiday here without spending that kind of money. A budget of around NZ$100 a night buys a basic inland double in a simple guesthouse, while for NZ$250, there are plenty of beachfront hotel rooms and small apartments. Check the small print: many places throw in watersports gear too. On Praslin, I stayed at Palm Beach Hotel, right on Grand Anse beach. Ocean-facing rooms start at around NZ$220 but the sunset is priceless. On La Digue, its possible to find a self-catering apartment for as little as NZ$150, though I splurged in a spacious poolside bungalow at Cabanes des Anges (from NZ$310). Mahe also has plenty of budget accommodation. Base yourself somewhere like Beau Vallon, a lively resort town on the islands north coast, where a night at the Oceanic View Apartments within walking distance of the beach would set you back about NZ$170.

The biggest outlay for your Seychelles trip is likely to be the airfare, so lock this in as far in advance as you can. Check deals on flights with Emirates via Dubai, Etihad via Abu Dhabi or Qatar via Doha. In addition, Turkish Airlines flies direct from Istanbul; fares with Kenya Airways and Ethiopian can also be very reasonable. Though there are domestic flights between Mahe and Praslin; most people take the cheaper Cat Cocos ferry. It takes about 75 minutes and costs SCR840 (NZ$105) each way. From Praslin, its a short hop to La Digue for SCR170 (NZ$21).

On Mahe and Praslin, make use of the local buses which are a cheap and efficient way to get around. Easily recognisable in their blue livery, schedules and stops can be found online and you can pay per ride on the bus. Alternatively, make life easy with a visitors card for SCR 250 (NZ$30) which is good for 16 rides and can be topped up. There are no buses on La Digue its too small. Most travellers hire bicycles for about SCR150/day (NZ$18). Stan Bike Rental near the jetty in La Passe gets good reviews, but check with your accommodation before making a booking as many throw in use of a bicycle at no extra charge.

For more to see and do, visit tourism.gov.sc

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How to holiday in the Seychelles with a budget-friendly itinerary - New Zealand Herald

1,700 SF new construction home on Long Island, which is a 40-minute ferry ride from Portland

Open concept main floor with wraparound porch is ideal for entertaining and enjoying every season

Partial daylight basement ideal for outdoor/indoor transitions; ready to be finished to specific needs

Low taxes with well-supported town services make Long Island a unique option for those seeking a quiet life near the city

Live your dream in this newly constructed, energy efficient, year-round home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms on Long Island, Maine. With an open concept main floor and wraparound porch, this is the perfect home to gather friends and family and savor each season of year-round living just 40 minutes by ferry from Portland.

Long Island is one of the dozens of Calendar Islands in Casco Bay. The population grows during the summer months with many families returning generation after generation. Residents make their living in fishing and ocean related industries, while others commute to Portland and beyond. This address is a five-minute car ride, eight-minute bike or 25-minute walk to the public ferry landing. Private marinas are even closer.

Enjoy the day on the wraparound porch, catching the sights and sounds of the ocean, like the soft peals of bell buoys in the morning and the ember sunset in the evenings. In addition to all the living space upstairs, where youll find three bedrooms, a full bath and laundry room, theres a partial daylight basement waiting to be finished for your needs. The patio doors open right under the porch, making this an ideal space even in its unfinished form for transitioning from outdoor to indoor activities, or for storing gear.

A caring, year-round community with lower taxes, and well-supported town services make Long Island one of Maines best kept secrets. If youre looking for a quiet lifestyle just outside the city, take a closer look at Long Island.

857 Island Avenue is listed by Mary McAleney of RE/MAX Shoreline. Contact Mary by phone at 207-799-4306, or by email at marymcaleney@shorelineagents.com.

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New construction home on Long Island, a small town off the coast of ... - Press Herald