Category Archives: Private Islands

Currently, the UFC led by Dana White is the biggest promotion in the MMA business. From some of the best fighters in the world to innovative ways of capturing a sizeable chunk of the audience, the UFC has been leading the MMA business. However, other promotions are giving a tough competition. As a result, it becomes important for UFC to keep giving the fans the experience that no other promotion can.

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In a recent conversation on the Full Send Podcast, the UFC President spoke about the promotions future plans. He revealed they were working on making fights happen in the metaverse. If they manage to do this, the MMA fans would get to experience something extremely novel. It sure would add a gigantic leap in the MMA business.

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White said, Were looking to do a fight in the metaverse. Weve been working on it for a while, be it a live fight, an actual fight that takes place inside the metaverse.

Watch This Story: Best Highlights From UFC 270: Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane Press Conference

Itd be kids at home could, you know, you put on your f***ing goggles and you can f***ing get up and go walk around and you know. Were still working it out, but yeah, itll be soon. Well be doing a fight in the metaverse.

He further explained how a fight in the metaverse would work out. He said, You could buy seats, yeah. And it just works with everything. It works with social media. It works with streaming.

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That Was the Last $10 Million Dana White Opens up About the Time When theUFC Dream Almost Ended

3 days ago

It would be interesting to see how MMA would operate in the metaverse. Till then, fans can enjoy some really interesting upcoming fights. After all, UFC 270 is just around the corner.

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The pandemic caused hindrances in businesses. However, White took it as an opportunity to get creative. The promotion continued operating under tough conditions. Fights were conducted on private islands, and thus, he kept the show running.

So, with his new plan to make fights happen in the metaverse, it would be really exciting to see how the whole thing pans out.

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Do you think UFC fights in the metaverse could work well? Let us know in the comments below.

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Were Looking to Do a Fight in the Metaverse Dana White Says UFC Is Moving Towards a Metaverse - EssentiallySports

Somehow, staying on an island for your vacation sounds much more glamorous than staying on the mainland, and if it is a private island with just one resort on it, even better.

There are a few magical places in the world where that is the norm, just think about the Maldives. Every island is so small, they can only put one resort on it, apart from the main island, that is. And, yes, the Maldives are super luxurious and glamorous, but I wont mention them here, as not only the resort I stayed at years ago has since changed hands, so I cant really recommend it firsthand anymore, but also there are just too many to pick a favorite. If you are lucky enough to visit the Maldives, it doesnt matter where you are staying, you wont be disappointed.

Elsewhere in the world, wherever there is a sea or even a lake, you can often find a luxurious hotel that takes full advantage of the location and the appeal of being on a private island. And, if there wasnt an island before, some hotels just built their own. Here I have picked some of my personal favorites. Some because of the stunning views, from sunsets to the turquoise sea, others because the setting and hotel itself are simply out-of-this-world. And a couple for altogether different reasons.

Hopefully, there will be a few that will inspire you to plan a stay in a luxury hotel on your very own private island.

I was on a tour through Rajasthan when we stopped in Udaipur. Not just stunned by the utterly beautiful setting of grand palaces and iconic steps on one side of Udaipurs many lakes, Lake Pichola, and the mountains on the other, there was also the beautiful and historic Lake Palace floating ethereally in the mist. The Lake Palace was built around 1750 as a summer place for the Maharana of Udaipur, and is literally a palace in the lake; there is no space around it in the water, just a mooring for boats carrying guests. Today, it is a luxury hotel, and surely one of the most beautiful there is. With a lush garden in the center, a superb restaurant, a rather freezing-cold pool, and simply breathtaking views, this is one of the worlds best spots for a special occasion.

Pro Tip: Just opposite the Lake Palace lies the City Palace, a rambling structure built 400 years ago for the ruling Mewar family. It was depicted as a hotel in James Bonds Octopussy (1983), which also featured the Lake Palace.

It took three flights in ever-decreasing-size planes, a drive, a boat ride, and a walk along the beach to get to my little bure, or Fijian hut, on Matangi Island in Fiji. I still think of it as my most exotic location ever, even though I lived in Australia at the time, and it was practically local. But the little island is a gem. The owner still lives on this island, and it has been in his family since 1878. There are only a few bures, and one main building where you take all your meals, which are always fresh and locally sourced. There is a spa and a scuba club, and one horseshoe-shaped bay where you can be dropped off by boat and have it just to yourself for the day, and the snorkeling is sensational. Small, personal, and in the evening and upon arrival and departure, the islands staff comes together to sing for you. Sounds naff, but believe me, they can sing like angels, and accompanied simply by a ukulele, they bring the South Sea to you.

Pro Tip: The International Dateline officially runs through the neighboring island, but luckily Fiji adopted one time zone, otherwise confusion would reign supreme.

Fregate Island lies a short boat or helicopter ride from the main island of Mahe and is a perfect hideaway with only 17 villas and one Presidential Villa, with beaches that have a dont disturb sign and a phone to call for cocktails. You can eat in the main building, where there is also a lovely bar and pool, but equally, you can have your meals served on your veranda. The only thing people ask of you is that you share your food with the local wildlife, and thus, when you get your breakfast tray, numerous birds and other wildlife come to join you, leaving you to feel a little like Cinderella. An island where conservation has been on the menu for decades, it is a haven for wildlife, from tortoises to turtles, from lizards to an amazing selection of birds, such as the famous frigate birds and the utterly charming white terns, which always come in pairs.

Pro Tip: Each villa comes with a golf buggy for personal transport, but dont miss exploring the islands wild side on a guide-led nature walk. Youll see cashews growing, stunning vistas, and learn about the local flora and fauna.

A dedicated lover of all things Art Deco, this is a dream location for me. The Burgh Island Hotel is a true iconic example of the Art Deco era and has been popular throughout its history. So much so, that Agatha Christie wrote two novels here, which were also later filmed here for the authentic setting, and Noel Coward stayed, as did Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, the aviator Amy Johnson, Premier Winston Churchill, and even Josephine Baker and the Beatles, if not all at the same time.

Located on Burgh Island off the coast of South Devon, a tidal island that can be reached on foot at low tide, but also has a bus on stilts, just in case; the hotel is apart from one ancient, historic pub and a ruined chapel, the only building on the island.

Pro Tip: Do visit the Pilchard Inn pub on the island. The hotel has a great restaurant, but for a decent pint or a jug of Pimms accompanied by good pub food, you cant beat it. And it is hugely historic: it dates to 1336!

The Burj Al Arab is not only Dubais most iconic luxury hotel, but it sits on its own, manmade island, reached by a causeway open only to guests. It might not be a private island like the ones mentioned above, set in a vast ocean, miles from anywhere, but it may well be. Once you step across the threshold, you step into another world, and while the blingy dcor might blind you at first, you get accustomed to the over-the-top splendor rather quickly. The Burj Al Arab used to be one of the hotels where anybody who thought they were somebody stayed, even before social media, but it has settled down a little, and it is a fun getaway, something really quite unusual and unique, to be enjoyed for a night or two.

Pro Tip: While you are there, walk down to Pierchic, my favorite Dubai restaurant. It is perched at the end of a pier, as the name suggests, and offers views across to your hotel island like no other. And the food is fab!

You cant talk about island stays without mentioning the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. There are a few super-luxury private island resorts, such as Orpheus Island Lodge and Lizard Island, but my favorite is Heron Island. Not as fancy as the others, but it does have the best scuba diving of probably the entire Great Barrier Reef. Maybe I was just really lucky when I was there, but I saw countless turtles, manta rays, sharks, giant groupers, tiny clownfish, and everything in between. The island is a wonderful nature reserve with a research station on it, far from the coast and host to countless birds and an amazing array of natures spectacles. To add that special luxury uptick, you can arrive and leave by seaplane, a great way to travel and I even saw whales from the plane.

Pro Tip: During the southern hemispheres summer months, Heron Island becomes home to more than 200,000 birds including noddy terns and mutton birds. Considering the island is only about 2,600 feet long and 980 feet at its widest, giving an area of approximately 40 acres, it can get noisy. But if you love birds as well as marine life, this is the place to come to.

Unusual and luxurious accommodations are every travelers dream:

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6 Luxurious Hotels On Their Own Islands - TravelAwaits

Lovango Resort + Beach Club has just unveiled 11 new luxury tents and treehouses which are now available for booking.

Lovango Resort + Beach Club opened in 2020 and just unveiled 11 new treehouse suites and [+] glamping tents

If reconnecting with nature on a private Caribbean island is on your New Years resolution list, then this private island resort is for you.

Set amidst lush landscapes overlooking the white sandy beaches and warm turquoise waters of the US Virgin Islands, Lovango Resort and Beach Club just unveiled 11 new luxury accommodations, including five luxury tree-top suites and six glamping tents, perfect for families, couples and small groups.

The newest addition to the family-owned and operated portfolio of Little Gem Resorts luxury hotels, which also includes the Nantucket Hotel & Resort and Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Marthas Vineyard, the self-proclaimed lifestyle resort is a 10-minute boat ride from the coast of Saint-Jean and Saint-Thomas.

While the resort opened in December 2020 with a three-bedroom Villa Lovango, the island has been a popular location for yachts and day trippers looking to relax in one of the most beautiful private island settings on the island. USVI.

All Lovango Tree Tops suites, a unique Caribbean offering, are designed for a minimum [+] environmental impact.

We are delighted to welcome our guests again for our second season at Lovango Resort + Beach Club and our first season as a resort destination with more unique accommodations and experiences that invite our guests to have an even closer bond. with the nature on the island that we love so much, owners Mark and Gwenn Snider said in a statement.

The resort, which is powered by wind and solar energy, has sustainability at the heart of its overall design aesthetic, a philosophy that has been incorporated into each of the new tree suites and glamping tents.

Lovango Resort + Beach Club unveiled new guest rooms, including luxury glamping tents and [+] treehouses plus refreshed dining options and a new retail village

Nestled in the trees overlooking the aquamarine waters that surround the Caribbean, the five new luxury treehouses have been beautifully designed for families and couples.

A large outdoor terrace with an alcove and a hammock, the bathrooms have indoor and outdoor showers with a birds eye view of the surrounding islands and cays and can comfortably accommodate two adults and two children.

A short walk from Tree Tops Lobby, a continental breakfast is served daily, after which you can head to the Beach Club or Lovango Village, which includes the Green Oyster Bar and Beach Grill. Of course, island hopping is always an option near St. Johns or St. Thomas, or for the more intrepid, Lovangos Stay + Sail package is a great way to explore the best of the world. USVI.

The five luxury treehouses are designed for families and couples looking for a little adventure [+] without sacrificing comfort.

For couples looking to relax in understated luxury locations perched in a forest canopy with panoramic views of the Caribbean, the six new Glamping tents have been designed for romance and honeymooners.

Constructed in a contemporary fashion with 640 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, one of the most notable features is the wood slatted bathroom with private outdoor shower and an oversized deck with stunning water views.

For more connection with nature, the bathrooms have indoor and outdoor showers with a birds eye view. [+] islands and cays.

For families or groups, it is also possible to combine a luxury treehouse and glamping tent connected via a private walk that crosses the trees for the ultimate escape.

In addition to the unveiling of the new tree-top suites and glamping tents, Lovango is also launching a three-beach experience that will include special access and island-wide amenities, starting with reserved lounge chairs. , access to a 70-foot infinity pool, umbrella, towel, attendant service, beach games and music in South Beach.

Considered one of the best snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean, across the island of Crescent Beach, Lovango guests can enjoy free beach chairs and an optional gourmet picnic. Free access to the National Park beaches located just across the bay on the Ile de Saint-Jean will also be available to guests via the resorts private boat launch.

Treehouses and glamping tents can be reserved for a minimum three, four and seven night stays.

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Now you can stay in a luxury tent or treehouse on this private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands - The bharat express news

While winter brings sleet, snow and cold weather to much of America, winter temperatures in Florida often hover around 80 degrees. Plus, Florida has plenty for you to do, from relaxing on one of its many sugar-sand beaches to hitting up Disney World. Below, we round up the 10 coolest homes you can rent in Florida on Vrbo right now.

For a private island with a pool

$1,500 avg/night

Located just off the shoreline of Marathon in the Florida Keys, this luxury rental on a private island features 19 sliding glass doors, as well as a 2700-square-foot veranda perfect for sipping on cocktails while you watch boats pass by. The house, which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, can comfortably sleep six people and has features like a helicopter landing pad, private pool and dock and easy access to a coral reef.

For Movie Buffs

$1,120 avg/night

Are you looking for a place for a family reunion, or to bring a bunch of friends for a retreat from reality? This villa, located on a resort with tennis courts and a lazy river, among other amenities, has 14 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and sleeps up to 36 people. Each room is decorated to pay homage to a famous Hollywood film, including Breakfast at Tiffanys, The Godfather, Ghostbusters, The Wizard of Oz, Titanic and Back to the Future. You can spend time outside by the villas pool, barbecuing and lounging in the sun. Or you can just take advantage of the villas game room, which features the Halo Fireteam Raven virtual arcade video game and the two-lane private bowling alley, as well as the three 120-inch projector screens installed in the common areas around the house.

For water sports enthusiasts

$1,115 avg/night

Decked out with everything you need to make your most of the time by the water, including kayaks, jet skis, paddleboards, snorkels and fishing gear, this house also features a terraced pool, a putting green and a private beach. Containing seven bedrooms and five bathrooms that can comfortably sleep up to 18 people, the house is meant for people who want to spend their entire vacation in flip flops or even better, bare feet. Located on a barrier island in Stuart, Florida, which is halfway between Miami and Orlando, this rental is named Aquarius for the water-bearing symbol in the Zodiac calendar.

For an epic family trip

$1,038 avg/night

This recently constructed manse lets you take advantage of all that Brandenton, a pretty spot on the Gulf Coast just south of Tampa, has to offer. Just a three minute walk from the beach on one side, and a five minute walk from the bay on the other, you can spend your days in the ocean; or if youd rather, lounging by the resort-style pool, replete with a waterslide, and play ping pong on the two tables located on the covered deck next to the grill. At night, watch the sunset from the rooftop deck, which has 360-degree views of the Gulf of Mexico, and a wet bar where you can make cocktails. Other features of the house include an elevator from the parking garage, a gourmet kitchen and a game room with an X-Box for kids.

For a resort experience

$529 avg/night

Decorated by a professional interior designer, this four bedroom, four bathroom house in a resort community in Rosemary Beach can sleep up to 12 people. Just a short walk from the beach in one direction, and a lagoon-style resort pool in the other, the house, which has decidedly coastal vibes, also has a rooftop deck with 360-degree views of the surrounding area, including the ocean. Rosemary Beach is in the Florida Panhandle, and is known for its bustling town square, award-winning restaurants and family friendly outdoor parks.

For funky elegance and #islandlife

$1,196 avg/night

Newly redecorated, this pink four bedroom house is nestled in a tropical landscape on Captiva Island, a barrier island known for its abundant wildlife, white sand beaches and colorful shells. The house, which is decorated in bright, happy colors, has a long heated private pool, as well as a balcony for enjoying coffee in the morning. Just a half mile from the beach, the rental also has a private dock thats perfect for launching kayaks or private swims in salt water.

For the private island exprience

$1,349 avg/night

Its not only billionaires who can vacation on private islands. If you rent this house on Seabird Key, youll have 10 acres of an island in the midst of the Florida Keys all to yourself. The property, which is accessible only via boat, comes with a 19 Boston Whaler, as well as a concierge service that can help you book services including massages and private yoga. The house itself, which was designed to be sustainable, has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, that can sleep up to 8 people, as well as a private beach.

For a private beach

$1,595 avg/night

Feel like a celebrity vacationing in paradise in this villa on the ocean in Santa Rosa Beach, a town just east of Destin on the Florida panhandle. The 7 bedroom, 7.5 bathroom house, which sleeps up to 26 people and has ocean views from every room, also features a private heated pool with an accompanying pool deck, Restoration Hardware furniture and 400-feet of private beach accessible via a path from the house. The rental also comes with eight bikes and a golf cart for exploring the surrounding area.

For true luxury

$3,180 avg/night

This rental has all the amenities of a luxury resort including a home cinema, basketball court, bowling alley and rooftop pool with a private spa room that includes a sauna and a steam room. Best of all, the pool has a lazy river where you can spend all the time you want sipping on cocktails while floating on your back. The home, which encompasses 25,410-square-feet of space, and includes 14 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms that can sleep up to 30 people, is located in Reunion, a resort community just outside of Orlando.

For an oasis in a city

$799 avg/night

Located in a private residential area in Fort Lauderdale, this home, which has a heated pool with a waterfall, an in-ground hot tub and an outdoor dining area, is located just two blocks from the beach. Its also close to all that Fort Lauderdale and greater Miami has to offer, including shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The rental, which has four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, can sleep up to eight people, also comes with a wagon so that you can tote everything you need to the beach.

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10 of the most incredible homes you can rent in Florida right now - MarketWatch

The V.I. Dept. of Health on Tuesday reported 786 active cases of Covid-19 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a result of the Omicron variant's extremely high transmissibility, with both districts seeing high levels of spread.

The latest increase, another record that blew past Sunday's 544, sent the territory's Covid-19 positivity rate to 14.82 percent. For comparison, last week Monday's positivity rate was 1.6 percent.

D.O.H. issued a statement calling for residents to follow safety protocols. "With 786 active Covid-19 cases reported and a 7-day positivity average of 14.82%, it is more crucial than ever for Virgin Islanders and visitors to practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, wear a mask, and avoid gatherings. Anyone 5 years old and up can get the COVID-19 vaccine," the health department said Tuesday.

Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said D.O.H. would work to increase testing capacity, a move, among other goals, aimed at easing pressure off the territory hospitals' emergency departments. Ms. Encarnacion also stated that while D.O.H. hadn't received samples it sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to verify the presence of the Omicron strain in the territory, the rapid increase in cases represented a "certainty" of its presence.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 396 active cases on St. Croix. Following closely behind is St. Thomas with 381, and St. John with 9 active cases. The numbers in St. Croix and St. Thomas are the highest since the onset of the pandemic.

Governor Albert Bryan took steps to curtail the rapid spread of the variant in the territory. Speaking during his Monday press briefing, the governor announced the cancellation of the scaled back Crucian Christmas Festivalon St. Croix that was planned for Jan. 4-6. "We cannot have people walking around at the [Agricultural Fair Grounds] interacting," he said. The governor said his administration would try to do an event later in January or perhaps February to makeup for the cancellation.

He also announced that bars, nightclubs, and restaurants must stop selling alcoholic beverages at 11:00 p.m. Those same businesses are to shut down every night at midnight. This order took effect Monday.

Recognizing that the curtailed hours of operation stand to stymie many plans, Mr. Bryan said the aforementioned businesses will be allowed to stay open until 2:00 a.m. for New Year's Eve celebrations, and the sale of alcoholic beverages must end at 1:00 a.m. The governor stressed that law enforcement officers were exhausted dealing with the pandemic, and he warned businesses against flouting the order as they would be shut down for 30 days.

The order will continue through Jan. 10, 2022, the governor said. Mr. Bryan further stated that his administration expects the latest Covid-19 surge to last for at least a month. "You're going to see those numbers increase before they decrease," the governor added, conditioning residents for higher numbers of Covid-19 as Omicron becomes dominant.

"This holiday season has been very busy and we need to curtail the social gatherings to the greatest extent reasonable. In our response we have seen that these are the things that help curtail the spread of the virus," said Mr. Bryan, who also announced that central government employees would be working from home through January 10. The governor also expects semiautonomous government entities to do the same, and the governor encouraged the private sector to take similar steps where possible.

There will be no restrictions on houses of worship for New Year's Eve events, "but I'm going to be home for New Year's Eve, I'm encouraging you to do the same," the governor said. He said if individuals must go to church, "please just be responsible, wear your mask, be careful; I know you miss and love everybody around you, but refrain from hugging people because this thing [Omicron] is just really, really contagious."

Mr. Bryan further announced that everyone coming into the territory, including Virgin Islanders, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours beginning Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. This requirement will continue for at least 30 days, the governor said.

"If you don't really need to go anywhere, please stay home," Mr. Bryan urged. "Remember even if you have your vaccine card from the Virgin Islands you still need a negative Covid test [taken within 72 hours]."

He added, "We've done these things before, they work. We know Omicron is going to tear through here, there's nothing we could do about that, but we can slow it down a little bit."

There were no changes made to beach protocols, meaning beaches will remain open. The governor also did not announce a change in the tentative in-person reopening date of Jan. 10 for the territory's public schools. A decision is expected to be made next week, he said.

Ms. Encarnacion said Monday the territory had turned away two cruise ships recently because their positivity rate had surpassed the agreed upon threshold of 1 percent. She said one ship was 1.2 percent while the other was 1.9 percent positivity, the latter having 4,500 passengers.

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship with 6,091 passengers and crew that ended its Caribbean voyage on Dec. 18,reportedthat 48 people aboard the ship for the seven-day cruise tested positive for Covid-19. The destinations visited by the ship, Symphony of the Seas which is the world's biggest cruise ship, were St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island), Royal Caribbean said in a statement provided to the media.

Ms. Encarnacion said it would be difficult to pin the rise in cases on the cruise ship. And Governor Bryan expressed strong support for the industry. "I'll say it publicly, the cruise ships have been shutdown for a year and a half; they've taken a tremendous hit to their business. They're one of our crucial tourism partners, and I just want to make sure that we give them a fair shake," Mr. Bryan said. "They're under considerable pressure as it is with this new Omicron variant and I'm praying for them and hoping that they can get their situation under control so they don't have to stop sailing again."

The Omicron variant is proving to cause drastically less severe illness than other strains before it, including Delta. The variant's less severe nature has been backed up by three major studies so far, one fromSouth Africa where the strain was first detected in late November, another by Scotland, and a thirdfrom the United Kingdom. The South African study, published online by researchers at South Africas National Institute for Communicable Diseases, found people infected with Omicron were 70% to 80% less likely to need hospital treatment than people infected with earlier variants, including Delta, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In Scotland, 83.6% of people aged 12 and over have received two doses of vaccine, and 56.6% have received a third shot, WSJ said.

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786 Covid-19 Cases Reported As Omicron Spreads In USVI; Dept. Of Health To Increase Testing Capacity To Ease Pressure Off ER - VI Consortium

Governor Albert Bryan took steps to curtail the rapid spread of what is believed to be the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the extremely transmissible strain of the two-year-old virus continues to plague humankind.

With active infections at 544 as of Sunday in the USVI the highest active caseload since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 Mr. Bryan during his Monday press briefing announced thecancellation of the scaled back Crucian Christmas Festivalon St. Croix that was planned for Jan. 4-6. "We cannot have people walking around at the [Agricultural Fair Grounds] interacting," he said. The governor said his administration would try to do an event later in January or perhaps February to makeup for the cancellation.

He also announced that beginning today, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants must stop selling alcoholic beverages at 11:00 p.m. Those same businesses are to shut down every night at midnight.

Recognizing that the curtailed hours of operation stand to stymie many plans, Mr. Bryan said the aforementioned businesses will be allowed to stay open until 2:00 a.m. for New Year's Eve celebrations, and the sale of alcoholic beverages must end at 1:00 a.m. The governor stressed that law enforcement officers were exhausted dealing with the pandemic, and he warned businesses against flouting the order as they would be shut down for 30 days.

The order will continue through Jan. 10, 2022, the governor said. Mr. Bryan further stated that his administration expects the latest Covid-19 surge to last for at least a month. "You're going to see those numbers increase before they decrease," the governor added, conditioning residents for higher numbers of Covid-19 as Omicron becomes dominant.

Though the V.I. Dept. of Health is awaiting more than 80 samples sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to confirm Omicron's presence locally, Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion and Governor Bryan expressed certainty that the surge in cases to the highest levels since the pandemic was a result of the variant. Ms. Encarnacion said the numbers being seen in the USVI mimicked similar outcomes in other states and territories where Omicron has been present. The results are expected to return to the USVI Tuesday, the health official said.

"This holiday season has been very busy and we need to curtail the social gatherings to the greatest extent reasonable. In our response we have seen that these are the things that help curtail the spread of the virus," said Mr. Bryan, who also announced that central government employees would be working from home through January 10. The governor also expects semiautonomous government entities to do the same, and the governor encouraged the private sector to take similar steps where possible.

There will be no restrictions on houses of worship for New Year's Eve events, "but I'm going to be home for New Year's Eve, I'm encouraging you to do the same," the governor said. He said if individuals must go to church, "please just be responsible, wear your mask, be careful; I know you miss and love everybody around you, but refrain from hugging people because this thing [Omicron] is just really, really contagious."

Mr. Bryan further announced that everyone coming into the territory, including Virgin Islanders, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours beginning Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. This requirement will continue for at least 30 days, the governor said.

"If you don't really need to go anywhere, please stay home," Mr. Bryan urged. "Remember even if you have your vaccine card from the Virgin Islands you still need a negative Covid test [taken within 72 hours]."

He added, "We've done these things before, they work. We know Omicron is going to tear through here, there's nothing we could do about that, but we can slow it down a little bit."

There were no changes made to beach protocols, meaning beaches will remain open. The governor also did not announce a change in the tentative in-person reopening date of Jan. 10 for the territory's public schools. A decision is expected to be made next week, he said.

The territory's positivity rate stood at 11.6 percent as of Monday, a drastic increase from last week's 1.6 percent. Ms. Encarnacion said the territory had turned away two cruise ships recently because their positivity rate had surpassed the agreed upon threshold of 1 percent. She said one ship was 1.2 percent while the other was 1.9 percent positivity, the latter having 4,500 passengers.

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship with 6,091 passengers and crew that ended its Caribbean voyage on Dec. 18,reportedthat 48 people aboard the ship for the seven-day cruise tested positive for Covid-19. The destinations visited by the ship, Symphony of the Seas which is the world's biggest cruise ship, were St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island), Royal Caribbean said in a statement provided to the media.

Ms. Encarnacion said today it would be difficult to pin the rise in cases on the cruise ship. And Governor Bryan expressed strong support for the industry. "I'll say it publicly, the cruise ships have been shutdown for a year and a half; they've taken a tremendous hit to their business. They're one of our crucial tourism partners, and I just want to make sure that we give them a fair shake," Mr. Bryan said. "They're under considerable pressure as it is with this new Omicron variant and I'm praying for them and hoping that they can get their situation under control so they don't have to stop sailing again."

The Omicron variant is proving to cause drastically less severe illness than other strains before it, including Delta. The variant's less severe nature has been backed up by three major studies so far, one fromSouth Africa where the strain was first detected in late November, another by Scotland, and a thirdfrom the United Kingdom. The South African study, published online by researchers at South Africas National Institute for Communicable Diseases, found people infected with Omicron were 70% to 80% less likely to need hospital treatment than people infected with earlier variants, including Delta, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In Scotland, 83.6% of people aged 12 and over have received two doses of vaccine, and 56.6% have received a third shot, WSJ said.

Get the latest news straight to your phone with the VI Consortium app.

Go here to see the original:

Bryan Cancels Festival On St. Croix, Requires Negative Covid Test For All Flights Entering Territory, Reverts Nightclubs, Bars And Restaurants To...

Guides

Heres your step-by-step winter playbook for getting out of town and into the sun.

Indulge your wanderlust with Antiguas turquoise waters. / Photo via Roberto Moiola/Sysaworld/Getty Images

Pack your bags, take an Uber to Logan, and let the getaway begin.

Flight Time: 6 hours, 40 minutesAvg. January High Temp.: 66F

WHY GO: Less traffic and pretension than L.A., better weather than San Francisco.

STAY: Set in the Gaslamp Quarter, the 317-room Pendry oozes luxury with custom furnishings and marble-clad bathrooms. Relax at the rooftop pool by day and tip back a pint or two at Nasons Beer Hallthe on-site pubat night.

DO: Paddle your way through seven sea caves at San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, an ecological and marine wildlife reserve and literal hidden gem. Have kids in tow? Check out the rides and live shows at Sesame Place, which debuts this March.

EAT: Portside Pier at the Embarcadero opened in 2020 with four eateries, including the well-loved Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar. Might we suggest the swordfish tacos? D.G.

Sand and surf in San Diego. / Photo via Corey Jenkins/Getty Images

Flight Time: 12 hoursAvg. January High Temp.: 75F

WHY GO: Audacious skyscrapers, dazzling nightlife, and resorts that offer uncommon luxury.

STAY: One of Dubais newest resorts is Th8 Palm, whichfeatures floor-to-ceiling windows and full kitchens in its all-suite accommodations. Bonus points for the outdoor bar and food truckequipped beach club.

DO: Journey to the top of the worlds tallest building, Burj Khalifa, for 360-degree views of the city. Not into heights? Find your next Insta post at the Miracle Garden, home to more than 150 million flowers, instead.

EAT: Steal away to Shanghai Me, where you can tuck into modernized East Asian dishes such as crispy duck salad and sweet-and-sour prawns in the company of bamboo and banana trees on the restaurants jungle-like terrace. D.G.

The desert outside Dubai. / Suzana Topita/Getty Images

Flight Time: 3 hours, 40 minutesAvg. January High Temp.: 63F

WHY GO: Killer live music, even better barbecue, and spectacular natural attractions including the Barton Springs Pool, a natural swimming hole warm enough to splash in year-round.

STAY: Set in a Greek Revivalstyle mansion, the 47-room Hotel Ella balances historical charm with quirky touches such as the former owners extensive pistol collection (because, Texas).

DO: Before hitting the funky boutiques in Austins SoCo neighborhood, embrace the citys legendary weirdness at the Cathedral of Junka delightfully strange sculpture of discarded car parts, tools, toys, and other found items.

EAT: Fill up on brisket, pulled pork, or ribs at Franklins, Salt Lick, or La Barbeque. Youll need the fortification for a night of carousing on Dirty 6th Street, from which you can recover with breakfast tacos at Rainey Street Burgers the next morning. J.S.

The Texas State Capitol in Austin. / Photo by DSZC/Getty Images

Flight time: 4 hoursAvg. January High Temp.: 83F

WHY GO: Sun-kissed beaches, stunning fortresses, and exciting nature adventures.

STAY: Check into the 43-room Palacio Provincial, which opened in 2021. Nestled inside a restored 19th-century building with high ceilings and Juliet balconies, the boutique hotel features sweeping San Juan Bay views from its rooftop pool.

DO: They call Puerto Rico La Isla del Encanto, or the island of enchantment. Experience its wonders firsthand with a guided hike and waterfall tour in El Yunque National Forest, a tropical oasis set in the Luquillo Mountains.

EAT: Exceptional cuisine is easy to come by in San Juan, which celebrated its 500th anniversary last year. Raise a glass to the townand feast on such dishes as salmon confit with local pumpkinat the Condado Vanderbilt Hotels renowned 1919 Restaurant, helmed by Michelin Starwinning chef Juan Jos Cuevas. D.G.

A peek at El Yunque National Forest. / Photo by DENNISVDW/Getty Images

Flight time: 4 hoursAvg. January High Temp.: 76F

WHY GO: Epic sunsets, world-class seafood, and carefree island vibes.

STAY: The new oceanfront Margaritaville Beach House features 186 coastal-chic suites, plus a lagoon-style pool and lawn games, among other amenities.

DO: Stroll down bustling Duval Street on your way to Sebago Watersports, whereas part of the Bugeye Backcountry Adventure Eco Touryoull sail, kayak, and snorkel while peeping blue herons, dolphins, sea turtles, and more.

EAT: Milagro Restaurant and Bar is arguably the hottest new place in town, but then again, no one argues here. Sip on a pineapple mojito before indulging in wood-grilled octopus or beef-shank pozole. D.G.

A coral reef near Key West. / Photo via EDB3_16/Getty Images

The Cholla course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club. / Photo by Lonna Tucker

Perfect your golf gameand score a tan while youre at it.

Youd be hard-pressed to find a more relaxing setting for golf than Arizonas Sonoran Desert. Exhibit A: We-Ko-Pa Golf Club near Scottsdale, owned and operated by the Yavapai Nation. The two 18-hole championship coursesthe award-winning Cholla and the newer Bille Coore and Ben Crenshawdesigned Saguarowind over painted desert ridges, shadowy canyons, and gently flowing arroyos. The recently refurbished resort and casino, meanwhile, features a spa, horseback riding, off-road tours, and more. Want to switch it up? Book a tee time just down the road at the Grand Canyon States newest golf destination, Sterling Grove Golf & Country Club in Surprise, home to Arizonas first Jack Nicklausdesigned course for public play since 2016. The tree-lined, par-72 beauty has been open since January 2021, but Sterling Groves clubhousecomplete with a spa and a fitness studiois slated for its big reveal in early 2022. D.G.

Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya

Family time in five-star accommodations? Yes, please.

Until now, slime has never been a selling point of any luxury resort, but things change. Opened in August 2021 along a gorgeous stretch of beach on the Yucatn Peninsula, the five-star Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya includes 280 oceanfront and swim-up suites, six restaurants, plus a wealth of additional Nick-specific touches (think: themed dcor and character meet-and-greets). The resorts true jewel, though, is the 6-acre AquaNick waterpark, where youll find lazy rivers, an activity pool, and 21 thrilling slides for all ages. To that end, rest assured: There are plenty of diversions for the 21-plus crowd as well. Indulge in a couples spa treatment or venture to the Bikini Bottom Bar, where mixologists are at the ready. For live music and games, theres even an orange-couch-equipped Snick Loungethe perfect spot for Gen-Xers and older millennials to try to explain the 90s to their kids. D.G.

A Hillside Pool Suite at Hermitage Bay. / Photo by Alexis Andrews/Hermitage Bay Antigua

Say yes to sustainability without sacrificing luxury at these Earth-friendly resorts.

Nayara SpringsCosta Rica

Consistently named one of the worlds top all-inclusive resorts, this jungle lodge near Arenal Volcano features a sloth preserve, gardens that give Eden a run for its money, and on-staff naturalists to guide you through the rain-forest canopy. Looking for a different kind of excursion? The surrounding area offers opportunities for horseback riding, kayaking, ziplining, and more.

Hermitage BayAntigua

An all-inclusive, five-star resort overlooking a pristine beach, Antiguas Hermitage Bay was specially designed to blend in with its environment. Its pared-down suites, accented by dark-wood finishes, help keep the focus on stunning ocean views. Natural detergents and bath products, meanwhile, affirm the resorts dedication to sustainability.

A peaceful perch at Awasi Iguazu / Photo courtesy of Awasi Iguazu Argentina

Awasi IguazuArgentina

Its easy to feel connected to Mother Earth at this Relais & Chteaux resort, set in the Atlantic Forest. With walls of oversize windows, wrap-around wooden decks, and private plunge pools, each of the propertys dreamy villasbuilt on stilts to curb environmental impactoffers a front-row seat to the sights and sounds of the jungle. Admire any number of bird or plant species from the comfort of your pad or hop into your personal 44 vehicle to get closer to the action; its included with your stay. J.S.

A birds-eye view of the Aerial resort in the Caribbean. / Photo courtesy of Aerial BVI

Its safe to say lots has changed since your last island vacay.

With Hurricane Irma in the rearview, the hardest-hit area of the Caribbean took the past few years to reboot and rebuild. On St. Barts, the legendary Htel Barrire Le Carl Gustafa five-star resort in the islands capital cityreopened in 2020 with an outpost of the beloved Paris eatery Fouquets and a private beach club. Similar luxury awaits at the brand-new Oil Nut Bay in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda; accessible only by boat or helicopter, the plush property features rentable villas and a marina complex popular among the super-yacht set. Youll also find fresh digs at the Aerial. Located on a 43-acre private island near Tortola, the wellness-focused resortwhich began welcoming guests last Mayoffers tranquility and solitude via five swoon-inducing lodges. The U.S. Virgin Islands, meanwhile, now boasts Lovango, a self-contained oasis near St. John with outdoor-shower-equipped treehouses, posh glamping tents, and the regions first beach and pool club. J.S.

Glenwood Hot Springs in Colorado. / Photo via LynnGrae/Getty Images

What could be more relaxing than kicking back in natures own Jacuzzis?

Glenwood Hot SpringsGlenwood Springs, Colorado

Spanning more than 40,000 square feet, this Colorado mainstay is the largest hot-spring pool in the world. Spend the day lounging or swimming laps in its toasty waters, which also include a splash zone for the little ones in your crew, then head to the historical Hotel Denver. With roots stretching to 1915, the soon-to-be-renovated hotel charms with hardwood floors, exposed-brick walls, and antique furnishings.

Yellowstone Hot SpringsGardiner, Montana

Towering conifers, snow-capped mountains, and bald-eagle sightings are all part of the experience at this literal hot spot in Montana, located just under 15 minutes from Yellowstone National Park. Once youre done exploring the two warm-water pools (plus the cold plunge pool, if youre feeling brave), retire to Sage Lodge, opened in 2019 in nearby Pray. Gas fireplaces, freestanding soaking tubs, and an on-site steakhouse await.

Crystal Hot SpringsHoneyville, Utah

These pleasantly warm Utah waters, which bubble to the surface from a depth of 8,000 feet, boast the highest mineral content of any hot spring on the planet. Soak up all of the benefits from elements such as calcium and iron before making the one-hour trek to Salt Lake City; thats where youll check into the plush Grand America Hotel, bedecked with Italian glass-enclosed showers, handcrafted cherry-wood furniture, and down bedding. Andrea Timpano

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Six Ways to Escape the Cold This Winter - Boston magazine

An odyssey around the Greek Islands during a pandemic was never going to be a breeze, but the lush Ionian archipelago seemed like the ideal antidote to months of cabin fever in a cluttered Athens apartment. I reckoned that if Odysseus could pull it off in a man-powered galley, fending off sirens, six-headed monsters, and a one-eyed giant, I could handle the slings and arrows of unpredictable travel requirements and capricious ferry schedules.

So I set a course for Paxos, a green speck just off the southern tip of Corfu, and intended to journey slowly south, alighting on the smallest, sleepiest Ionian islands, until I reached Odysseus's homeland of Ithaca. I didn't have a dozen ships and 600 men, but I did have a straw hat and a weather app.

From left: A street scene in the village of Loggos, on Paxos; a double-height living space at Paxos PTR. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Things did not get off to an auspicious start. The 90-minute crossing from Corfu to Paxos on a stuffy hydrofoil was not quite the pleasure trip that the ferry company, Joy Cruises, had promised. Coming out of the terminal with my travel companion, the Swedish photographer Loulou d'Aki, I perked up when I saw our rental car: a convertible Suzuki Jimny that looked game for adventure. But no sooner had we roared out of the pint-size port of Gaios than an ominous cloud of steam hissed from the hood, and the car wheezed to a halt.

What struck me most was the silence. Pure, deep silence until you really start to listen and discover that the landscape is brimming with wildlife.

Faye Lychnou came to our rescue. Practical, forthright, and filled to the brim with entertaining anecdotes, Lychnou is a cofounder of Friends of Paxos, a cultural organization that hosts festivals and waymarks centuries-old walking trails. In high season, she also moonlights as the local concierge for the Thinking Traveller, a rental agency that specializes in fabulously discreet villas in lesser-known parts of Greece, Italy, Corsica, and Mallorca.

Street seating at Caf Kalimera, in Gaios. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Lychnou bundled us into her car, dispensing bon mots as we drove past olive groves punctuated with the stacked bell towers of sepia-tinted churches. "See those handsome guys smoking in the shade?" she asked. "That's the fire brigade." She gestured toward a constellation of houses twinkling in the soft September light. "This is Manesatika. Like most villages, it's named after the person who built the first house around hereManesiscenturies ago."

The road tapered from single-lane tarmac to dirt track until eventually Lychnou pulled into a muddy driveway. We had arrived at Aperghis, a trio of stone houses with a small pool surrounded by olive trees. A weathered table and bamboo love seat were angled in a corner of the terrace for sea- and stargazing. Although newly built by British architect Dominic Skinner, who has quietly cornered much of the luxury property market on Paxos and Corfu, the houses fade into the landscape. There are tree-trunk stools, rattan chairs, and stepping-stones for tiptoeing barefoot from hammock to outdoor shower to yellow-and-white-striped lounger. Bedrooms are cool and calm, with gray tongue-and-groove ceilings, painted white floorboards, and French windows that face west, so the whole room is dipped in gold at dusk.

What struck me most, after months of listening to rolling news, fighting street cats, and the white noise of distant traffic and cooped-up angst, was the silence. Pure, deep silenceuntil you really start to listen and discover that the landscape is humming with wildlife: throbbing bees, elusive songbirds, rustling hedgehogs, and the usual Greek chorus of cicadas. There are snakes, too, Lychnou warned as we set off to explore our surroundings on foot.

The Loggos harbor. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

For centuries, pale local stone has been used to build homes, wells, windmills, cisterns, barns, bell towers, watchtowers, and the terraces that protect the precious olive trees covering the island. There are an estimated 300,000 olive trees on Paxosroughly 120 for every residentand each one is numbered and initialed, a tradition that dates back to the Venetian occupation (which lasted four centuries, until Napoleon muscled in on the Ionian archipelago in 1797). The Venetians paid the locals for every olive tree they planted, and the resulting groves yielded countless blessings: cooking oil, lamp oil, soap, firewood, a dowry for a daughter.

Many Paxiots don't bother pruning or prodding their olive trees. In November, they simply unfurl the nets rolled neatly into the crooked trunks and tangled roots of these great beasts and wait for the fruit to fall. Olives are periodically gathered up and pressed: a slow process that lasts until early spring, when the first tourists typically trickle back. This approach to harvesting pretty much sums up the island way of lifeslow down, relax, let nature take its course.

The famously turquoise waters of Paxos, as seen on a boat tour. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Besides, there's less incentive to work the land when selling it can be much more lucrative. Though the global price of olive oil has slumped, property values on Paxos and nearby Antipaxos have gone through the roof. This relatively remote island, measuring a mere eight miles from end to end, is now one of the most expensive slivers of real estate in Greece. (Gone are the days when you could buy a plot for around $100, as the actor Peter Bull did in 1964. "Buy cauliflower, string, Scotch tape, and a bit of land on Paxos," he scribbled on his shopping list.)

But there are no ritzy boutiques or champagne bars, no fancy resorts, and scarcely any hotels. That is precisely the appeal for the European aristocrats and upper-crust Brits who are stealthily building palatial pads camouflaged by the hills, hovering on the edges of plunging cliffs, or poised on pristine coves with private moorings and speedboats for exploring the turquoise coastline.

Soaking in the sun on the quay near Mongonissi Beach. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Loulou and I soon realized that a car may be useful on Paxos, but a boat is indispensable. Super-yachts, sailboats, and inflatables crowd the marinas and fleck the horizon. You don't need a skipper's license to rent a little motorboat in any of the three harbor towns: Gaios, Lakka, and Loggos. The eastern coastline, which faces the brooding mountains of mainland Greece, is pocked with pebbled beaches like Levrechio (where we just missed Bono at the superb seaside taverna Bouloukos), Marmari (where we snoozed under sighing olive trees), Monodendri (too many ros-swilling Brits), and Kipiadi (where spherical white stones shuffle hypnotically against the shore). The translucence and buoyancy of the sea is so incredible you want to shout for joy as you dive in. Swimming or snorkeling through every gradient of blue is like diving into a different dimensionflying, rather than floating.

The Church of the Ascension, in the main square of Gaios. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

The western coast of Paxos is all ragged cliffs and echoing sea caves, thousands of years compressed into swirling strata of sandwiched rock. These landscapes make you feel very smallespecially as you gingerly spread your sarong beneath the great white flank of cliff that looms above Erimitis Beach. At sunset, the chalky rock face above glows pink and orange. Most people go for a late-afternoon swim, then clamber up the scraggly footpath for sundowners at the touristy but photogenic Erimitis bar and restaurant. Instead, Loulou and I went for a dip at first light and had the whole dazzling bay to ourselves, apart from two sturdy older women in headscarves, chatting as they picked grapes on terraced vineyards suspended between sea and sky.

In his 1978 book,The Greek Islands,Lawrence Durrell dispatched Paxos and its vine-covered offshoot Antipaxos"two islands of little note"in a single cursory paragraph: "The little, flat-roofed villages have water trouble; they live on cisterns and try to hoard winter rain. But the summers are fierce. There are good little harbors for small-boat owners."

Ocean views from the terrace of the restaurant Bella Vista, on Antipaxos. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Loggos, the smallest of the three harbors, was my favorite. An irresistible Greek clich mirrored in the glassy sea, the flagstone-clad waterfront was lined with pleasure boats, tavernas, and flip-flop shops. At the far end, we found three neat little bars in a row, with quayside tables for people-watching or sea-sprayed terraces for boat-watching. Giddy on cocktails, we strolled over to Vassilis, a taverna that once fed workers from the now-derelict soap factory and today caters to high-rolling regulars like the billionaire owner of Chelsea F.C., Roman Abramovich. You can almost dip your toes in the sea from your marble-topped table, as long as the local bus doesn't come hurtling along the narrow strip between you and the water.

There are no ritzy boutiques or champagne bars, no fancy resorts, and scarcely any hotels. That's precisely the appeal.

While we dined on spicy gazpacho, a whole bream harpooned that morning, and a lemony knot of wilted greens, we were entertained by three men in a boatpink-shirted, rosy-cheeked tourists in a dinghy, to be precise, who almost capsized several times as they drunkenly struggled to untie the mooring rope. Across the bay, their girlfriends hollered encouragement. Soon after the wobbly dinghy finally drifted into the inky night, a fluorescent blue beam scanned the restaurant tables like a searchlight. A cabin cruiser with three churning engines loomed into view, and after much maneuvering a group of Bulgarians stepped ashore. We watched the deckhand struggle to pull away, oblivious to the fact that he had forgotten to untie the mooring rope. "Money can't buy you everything," said the guy at the next table, smiling wryly.

The pool at Aperghis. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Moneylots of moneycan buy you a stay at what I'm quite sure is the most sensational estate on the island. Paxos PTR occupies an entire hilltop in Kastanida, high above the northwestern coast, but you'll never find it unless the owner, Patrizia Peracchio, a petite but formidable Milanese architect, shows you the way in her battered 4 x 4. A concrete track through miles of forest turns into a stone driveway bordered by slender cypress trees. It's like entering the set of a Luca Guadagnino movie, a heady immersion into a world of effortless chic.

Loulou and I were assigned the three-bedroom guesthouse, a playful mix of red modular sofas, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, bathrooms painted bright yellow and green. Tiny recessed windows ran along the walls of my attic bedroom, with carved wooden flaps to control the light and ventilation.

Anchors on the dock in Loggos. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Peracchio's pool is positioned so it has clear views from one side of the island to the other: a panorama of hazy hills and open seas, filtered through a thicket of pines that have improbably taken root on the cliffside. I could hear waves smashing against rocks on the shore below as I swam laps in the gloaming. Fat raindrops started falling, a mist rose from the sea, and lightning flashed over the distant shadow of Corfu. Loulou and I retreated to the sunflower-yellow kitchen of the main house, a vast, open-plan space with sliding glass doors, to share marinated anchovies, stuffed peppers, and life stories with Peracchio. With her silver pixie crop, simple white shirtdress, and Greek leather sandals, she looked positively gamine, though I worked out she was in her seventies.

"You look very young," I remarked.

"Because I am here," she replied.

A classic Greek sunset from the pool terrace at one of architect Patrizia Peracchio's hilltop rental villas. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

The rain fell all that night, and 24 hours later an unseasonal storm was still raging. All boats were canceled. No sea-taxi skipper was mad enough to brave the weather. With a 48-hour ferry strike expected the next day, there was no way off the island for at least three days. Our Ionian odyssey was in ruins, but there are worse places to be stranded.

British explorer and historian Tim Severin identified Paxos as the Homeric island where Odysseus was bewitched by Circe, the sorceress who turned his sailors into swine and took Odysseus as her lover. Odysseus luxuriated in Circe's lavish hospitality for a year, until he mustered the will to continue his journey. Surely that's the best way to be seduced by Paxosslow down, relax, let nature take its course.

From left: An aperitif in the village of Loggos; the gardens at Aperghis. | Credit: Loulou d'Aki

Where to Stay

The Thinking Traveller has a handpicked collection of soulful villas on Paxos. Demand ha sbeen high since European travel reopened last summer, but weekly rates are surprisingly affordable and include transfers from Corfua swell as a never-too much-trouble concierge service. Aperghis, which sleeps eight, starts at $6,400 per week.

For pull-out-all-the-stops villas equipped with extravagant accessories (speedboats, chefs, yoga instructors), look to Five Star Greece. Patrizia Peracchio's estate, PaxosPTR, sleeps up to 22 and costs $27,000 per week.

Where to Eat & Drink

Averto: This trendy spot has a lovely backyard enveloped by voluptuous greenery. Go for brunch (the coffee and eggs Benedict are excellent)or a twilit aperitif. Magazia; entres $12$21.

Bouloukos: Don't let the booming Greek ballads put you offthis seaside taverna is a knockout. Order a Jenga tower of battered zucchini shavings dunked in blush-pink taramasalata, unctuous octopus with orzo, and the homemade pistachio gelato. Levrechio; Entres$ 11$19.

Bournaos: Stop for a Greek coffee at this old-fashioned kafenio across the roadf rom Averto. Magazia; 30-2662-030239.

Caf Kalimera: A prime spot for watching all the comings and goings in the capital, this local hangout has a split personality: alfresco tables under a bower of bougainvillea for breakfast and a lively, dive-bar vibe after hours. Gaios; 30-26620-32318.

Carnayo Gold Lounge Caf: Thin-crust pizzas, legit Greek salad, and spine tingling mojitos on a deck floating above a blue lagoon: this is what you came for. Mongonissi; 30-26620-32650; entres $11$23.

Le Rocher: Hidden down an alley beside a bakery, this tiny bar has a secret terrace on the water's edge, just big enough fora handful of tables. Pitch-perfect at dusk as the horizon turns lavender and lilac. Loggos; 30-26620-31115.

Vassilis: Run by the same family since 1957, this quaint looking taverna has evolved into one of Paxos's most sophisticated dining spots. Sea urchin bruschetta with taramasalata and samphire with black rock salt are served quayside by a polished crew. Loggos; entres$13$25.

A version of this story firstappearedin the Deember 2021/January 2022 issue ofTravel + Leisureunder the headlineI'll Follow the Sun.

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For a Greek Vacation Without the Crowds, Head to the Quiet Island of Paxos - Travel+Leisure

In the opulent world of resort design, no two bathrooms are created equal. It takes a lot more these days than an outdoor shower to make a bathroom fabulous. While many of those classic white tubs have gone the way of the dodo bird, there is a new generation that has elevated the bathing experience to new heights.

In spaces bigger than some studio apartments in Manhattan, check out the crme de la crme of bathrooms in the Caribbean. Toast the sunset from a super spacious soaking tub built for two or enjoy a leisurely shower solo in a fragrant outdoor garden.

At the edge of the tropical forest at Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica, Villa 20 offers views of the mountains and the bay Photo courtesy of Round Hill Hotel and Villas

Just when you think youve seen the most gorgeous bathroom ever, think again. Sporting an elegant design, en suite bathrooms in the top-shelf Villa 20 at Round Hill Hotel and Villas west of Montego Bay are showstoppers of the highest order. More like bathing pavilions than mere bathrooms, furnishings crafted by local artisans marry a West Indies vibe with modern amenities.

A soak in a tub that salutes the greenery right outside the doors is a vacation must-do.

En suite bathrooms are found in select suites and villas, like this Superior Beach Front Pool Suite Photo courtesy of Baoase Luxury Resort Curaao

Named for the owners first initials and the Dutch word for oasis, Baoase Luxury Resort on the southwest side of Curacao is home to the most magical bathrooms on the island. With Bali-inspired dcor and glorious views just outside the ornate wooden doors, the open-air tubs carved from Indonesian river boulders are works of art that might keep you in a spiritual soak all day.

Eden Roc Cap Cana is where you'll find the 3-bedroom Royale Villa designed with a Jacuzzi tub and views of the garden from the sleek master bathroom Photo courtesy of Eden Roc Cap Cana

At the Dominican Republics only Relais & Chteaux member hotel, the Royale Villa at Eden Roc Cap Cana is, indeed, royal with a chessboard design of elegant noir and stark ivory. The epitome of luxury, the master bathroom is accessorized with his and hers marble sinks, enchanting rain showers, Jacuzzi tub, views of the outdoor seated garden and Italian chic Acqua di Parma amenities.

Tranquility soaking tubs are couple-pleasers at the all-inclusive adults-only Sandals Resorts Photo courtesy of Sandals Resorts

True tub trailblazers, Sandals Resorts invites twosomes to cozy up in a 'Tranquility Soaking Tub' perfectly perched on the balconies and patios of select top-shelf suites at many of the adults-only all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Behind privacy curtains, go the distance with butler service, a bottle of chilled champagne, a warm bubble bath and an apres soak dinner for two served at sunset.

Note to couples: use the online filter Tranquility Soaking Tub when booking a stay.

Point of View Villa at The Tryall Club offers 5 bedrooms, staff of 10 and a porcelain tub in the master bathroom that impresses with mesmerizing views of the green hills Photo courtesy of The Tryall Club

There are views and then there are views from the Point of View Villa at the Tryall Club west of Montego Bay in Jamaica. The exquisitely designed, 5-bedroom villa is one of the most requested, courtesy of the beguiling ocean views to the north and green hills to the west.

Center stage in the master bathroom is a free-standing white porcelain tub that takes soaking to new heights. Wrap-around wooden shuttered windows open to enchanting views and the gentle warm breeze.

Mounted on a pedestal with commanding views of the majestic Pitons, whirlpool tubs are the main attraction in the extravagant suites at Jade Mountain Photo courtesy of Jade Mountain

Where youll soak in the views as you soak in the tub, Jade Mountain in St. Lucia makes quite a splash. With panoramic vistas of the conical Pitons, whirlpool tubs in the swanky suites with no fourth wall (or sanctuaries, as they're called) are perched on pedestals and designed with a fantastical 'chromotherapy' system of underwater lighting that soothes in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Ask the butler to set the mood with a candle-lit bubble bath, chocolate bonbons made from the cacao beans harvested at the resort's Emerald Estate Farm and a bottle of bubbly.

COMO Parrot Cay is a luxe collection of villas, beach houses and the Love Pumpkin oceanfront estate with a Bali-inspired bathroom Photo courtesy of COMO Hotels and Resorts

Where the coconut palms keep a beat with the breeze, COMO Parrot Cay, a private island resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is the home-away-from-home for A-listers who pay top dollar for a paparazzi-free holiday. In the oceanfront estate called Love Pumpkin, the en suite bathroom in the master bedroom is artfully designed with stone sinks, pillow-flanked bench and floors etched with sea fossils.

Keep the doors open to indulge in the waterfall shower and sea views on the other side.

GoldenEye Resort is where Ian Fleming wrote 14 James Bond novels and where the clawfoot garden bathtubs in the Fleming Villa invite a relaxing soak Photo courtesy of Goldeneye Resort

The epicenter of cool on Jamaicas north coast, GoldenEye in the sleepy town of Oracabessa is where spy writer Ian Fleming penned 14 of his James Bond thrillers. In the Fleming Villa where his desk still stands, we cant promise youll be inspired to write a novel, however, you can bet on a relaxing soak in a clawfoot cast iron garden bathtub.

Ideal for a gaggle of fans, each of the 3 bedrooms in the main villa has its own tropical bath area with a tub and garden shower.

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Romantic bathrooms? Yes, and these are 8 of the best in the Caribbean - USA Today 10Best

I was one of the first international travelers to arrive in Fiji since the islands' borders were closed to foreign nationals in March 2020.

Shutting its borders early helped Fiji avoid the ravages of a pandemic that could have wreaked havoc on a remote archipelago. Twenty months later, the nation is taking precautions to try to safely welcome international visitors again.

Here's what it was like to visit Fiji after its almost two years without tourism.

On November 30, I set out from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to get to Los Angeles International Airport for the inaugural flight to Fiji with my vaccination cards, a negative COVID-19 test, and hotel reservations for my stay.

I downloaded the CareFIJI contact-tracing app for use during my stay and had gotten my booster shot two days prior.

I took these precautions because I know Fiji is trying to safely welcome tourists back and the majority of its population is fully vaccinated. As of December, all travelers going to Fiji need a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 24 hours before the flight.

I was invited to be one of a handful of US journalists on the first Fiji Airways flight from the US to Fiji in almost two years. My round-trip business-class ticket from LAX to Nadi International Airport was covered.

A business-class round-trip ticket typically costs about $4,500 to $5,000. Round-trip economy-class tickets can be about $720 to $800.

It was nearing midnight when I boarded my long-haul flight to the South Pacific. By the time I arrived at my destination, an entire day had evaporated.

The entire travel time from leaving for Newark to checking into my Fijian hotel room was 23 hours.

But the energy and excitement awaiting me at Nadi International eliminated any time-zone-induced grogginess.

Fire engines flanked the runway, greeting our plane with a water salute. Grass-skirted musicians and dancers serenaded the arriving guests as they exited past security I was even pulled into an early-in-the-morning dance in front of a crowd of strangers.

A marching band performed outside the arrivals terminal as Fiji tourism representatives handed out traditional Fijian gifts to guests. News cameras lingered by the exit doors to interview the jet-lagged and unsuspecting arrivals about their experience aboard Fiji Airways which is how I found myself, completely disheveled, broadcast on the evening news.

As we drove toward the roundabout leaving the airport, people danced along the periphery of the road, cheering and waving to our vehicle.

Of Fiji's 300 islands, only about 100 are inhabited, and where you choose to stay can drastically affect the landscape, culture, and weather of your trip.

The western side of the archipelago is sunnier with bluer waters, and the northern side is more rustic and remote.

On Viti Levu, which is more central, I stayed at a beachfront bure (a Fijian word for a wood-and-straw hut) overlooking a lagoon at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay.

After two days I headed northeast to Vanua Levu, home of the seaside town of Savusavu, described as Fiji's "best-kept secret."

"Oh, now you've really been to Fiji," my driver told me when I landed on the remote, mountainous island after two Fiji Link flights from the mainland.

I stayed at a beachfront bure at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, an eco-luxury resort surrounded by tropical forests, overlooking Savusavu Bay.

In the morning I boated out to the uninhabited private island of Naviavia for a Fijian breakfast of champions that included papaya fruit, pineapple, soursop, watermelon, and coconut juice.

After breakfast I explored the famous reefs that are known as the "soft coral capital of the world."

I saw the bright, lush corals and tropical fish that populate the giant gorgonians beneath the water. The diving reminded me of exploring an underwater mountain, as the drop-off was spectacular, and when you looked down it felt like you could see forever.

Later I went on an excursion to swim beneath the jungle pools of Nakawaga Waterfall and learn about the history of the land and the medicinal properties of the flora and fauna with a local healer.

On Monday, December 6, I headed south for the Kadavu Island Group to visit Kokomo Private Island, one of the most luxurious resorts in Oceania.

The trip required a 45-minute flight from Savusavu to Nadi, then another from Nadi to Nausori, where I was collected via helicopter to arrive on the private island.

The 45-minute helicopter ride took me over the Astrolabe Reef, said to be the fourth-largest barrier reef in the world.

When I went diving there later, I was so entranced by the underwater mountains that extend over 62 miles across the South Pacific that I nearly descended too far into the watery depths. My diving guide had to instruct me to come up for air.

The Kadavu Island Group is famous for the diversity of its underwater corals and sea life.

On land, the island was an explosion of tropical flowers. It's home to the Kadavu parrot, a protected species.

After a couple of days of reef fishing, spa treatments, and beach hopping, I boarded a seaplane for Port Denarau and spent a night drinking rum at Suka Bar in the Sofitel Fiji.

The next morning, I boarded a high-speed catamaran to Castaway Island in the Mamanucas.

The catamaran, which transports passengers to different islands and resorts, reminded me of a school bus except everyone is thrilled to begin their vacations and there's a wet bar.

The first morning at Castaway, I visited the Supermarket, the famous dive site along the Malolo Barrier Reef.

At one point during my dive, a blacktip reef shark swam directly toward me. The shark, which was over 6 feet long, started circling me at one point.

He seemed curious and friendly (and distinctly masculine, I've decided). The shark followed us for the rest of our dive and even came up toward the surface for our safety stop.

The Mamanuca Islands, which consist of about 20 islands along the western side of Fiji, are pretty popular with travelers. That's also the part of Fiji where shows like "Castaway," "Survivor," "The Bachelor," and more were filmed.

Fiji's west side is sunnier and famous for its blue water, white-sand beaches, and great waves for surfing.

I wasn't able to surf at the time, so I hit up Cloud 9, a floating bar in the middle of the South Pacific that overlooks Cloudbreak.

My final stop was Turtle Island, in the Yasawas of northwest Fiji.

I reached Turtle Island after five hours at sea and was greeted with singing and dancing, as well as a traditional kava ceremony.

There I went on daily excursions to the island's 12 private beaches, including Devil's Beach, where the 1980 drama "The Blue Lagoon" was filmed.

I spent afternoons riding horseback to the mountaintop to view the sunset and gathering around communal tables with other guests.

Best of all, I learned how to go crab hunting in the Fijian bush after nightfall, mastering the two-step method of capturing a crab with my bare hands. (I caught three.)

I boarded my flight home tanner, calmer, and happier than I was before I departed. The kindness and beauty I experienced made it clear to me why Fiji has been called one of the happiest nations on Earth.

I also couldn't believe how much transportation I took while exploring Fiji's many islands. Aside from the four long-haul flights (transpacific and transcontinental each way), my 12-day trip required four water taxis, three Fiji Link planes, three speedboats, two high-speed catamarans, one seaplane, and a helicopter to navigate the Fijian archipelago.

Overall, it was amazing to be able to visit Fiji after months of it being closed off to international visitors.

With all the precautions in place, I felt safe in this South Pacific paradise, and I can see why it's on so many bucket lists. Just note that it's important to check the latest safety guidelines if you're planning a visit.

Excerpt from:

Fiji is opened to tourists again what my visit was like + photos - Insider