Category Archives: Private Islands

By now, the story of Jeffrey Epstein is well known. When the accused sex trafficker died officially ruled a suicide by hanging in his jail cell almost two years ago the public was left baffled alongside victims that were denied justice. There seemed to be much more to the story than the satisfaction of one mans carnal needs. What about the mystery of his money, videotapes, rumors of spies and blackmail, and boldface names deleted from court records?

Then a keeper of the key to those secrets was arrested in New Hampshire last summer. British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell swanned around Manhattan for decades, but the general public first got to know her in August 2019 when a New York judge released some 2,000 pages of previously sealed pages of a defamation lawsuit against her.

It was immediately clear why Maxwell had wanted the documents sealed. The lurid allegations in those pages exposed the true scale of the sex trafficking and power, access and money that enabled the legal impunity behind Epsteins first slap-on-the-wrist jail term. I believe their release just 24 hours before he was found hanging in his federal jail cell almost certainly had something to do with his death.

As the shock of Epsteins death was still settling in, I wrote a story for Rolling Stone laying out the allegations in the previously unseen depositions. Dozens of people made similar allegations about Maxwells role in an industrial-scale grooming and soliciting operation cruising South Florida strip clubs, spas and even a Christian college. The documents included statements not just from teen girls (now women), but eyewitnesses including private pilots, butlers, house managers and chauffeurs.

Now those documents, supplemented with other legal material and interviews with legal experts, intelligence agents and society figures, some of whom have never spoken out before, are the basis of a new three-part documentary that illuminates the life and story of Ghislaine Maxwell, the mystery woman Epstein left holding the bag of his secrets, as one former CIA agent told Rolling Stone. During the past year, I worked as an executive producer on this documentary series, Epsteins Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell, that will start streaming Thursday on Peacock.

Her story starts in Britain, where she grew up rich and connected, the last and most favorite child of the legendary media figure and, it turned out, alleged international financial criminal and spy, Robert Maxwell. Sources tell us thats where she first encountered Epstein.

The connection between Jeffrey Epstein and Robert Maxwell dated back to London in the 1980s, when Epstein, fresh off a legal near-miss in a massive Wall Street fraud case, had rolled into London and allegedly worked with a British financier named Douglas Leese. Leese taught the rough Coney Island-bred American the ways of the British aristocracy, including how to dress for a weekend hunt. During those years, Epstein first linked up with Robert Maxwell, who introduced him to Ghislaine, who fell in love with him. What Ghislaine saw in Epstein was her fathers image, said Epsteins former business partner Steven Hoffenberg, who called them soulmates.

The parallels between Ghislaines father Robert Maxwell and Epstein are uncanny. Both men were born into meager circumstances Maxwell to a large family of Czech peasants and Epstein to a Coney Island parks groundskeeper and both grew up to become experts in the shadow world of off-shoring money. (Maxwell famously helped hide money stolen by a Bulgarian dictator, as well as somehow losing track of $450 million in pension funds for his own media empire employees.) Both men died under mysterious circumstances that have officially been deemed suicide. Maxwells body was found in the waters off the Canary Islands, where he had been yachting, a death that his daughter has publicly claimed to believe was a murder.

The second and third parts of the story we wanted to tell are mostly on American soil, and mostly in New York and Florida. We sought to answer questions about how and why a woman networked into the highest echelons of finance and society ended up in a Brooklyn jail cell, and accused in public documents of being a chief procuress of a supply of pubescent girls, some of whom have said they were not only forced to have sex with Epstein, but with powerful men in rooms wired up with cameras.

The task seemed easy, at first. A prominent socialite, Ghislaine had been photographed smiling beside a veritable gossip columnists registry of bold face names. For decades, she had swanned and slipped around the pinnacle of high society, associating with male billionaires and their female consorts.

We called hundreds of them. For the most part, we got no comment, or more often, no answers at all. One prominent New Yorker picked up the phone and when I explained what I was looking to discuss, hastily said that her doctor was on the other line, urgently needing to discuss something. She never called back.

Others who vaporized were a wealthy heiress who had named Maxwell as godmother to her children, and one who harbored her during her year in hiding. Now they were hiding themselves.

Maxwell had gone from being a society insider with a naughty sense of humor to social plutonium. She herself had gone into hiding, except for one photo, widely believed to have been faked, in which she appears to be wink-winking at the spy rumors by reading a book about the CIA at an In-n-Out Burger in L.A.

Some people did talk to us, on and off camera. All confirmed that Maxwell had served as Epsteins society networker. The contacts in his notorious little black book were, we learned, at least 80 percent her friends, not his. Besides that document, photos show the reach of her access: there she is with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, there she is at Chelsea Clintons wedding, there with Bill on a private jet. There is more too. Maxwells name is listed on a flow chart of the earliest members of an elite billionaires club in Manhattan, not just as a member, but a recruiter of other high-profile members.

What did Epstein, a man with private jets, mansions in New York, Paris, and Santa Fe and his own private island, actually do for a living? Mystified Wall Street insiders say that he seemed to have little or no investment skills. And yet, Les Wexner gave him power over his fortune for years, and billionaire Leon Black paid him $150 million in the years after he was let out of a Palm Beach jail.

We picked up glimmers of his M.O. David Marchant, who investigates offshore money havens, speculated that Epstein knew how to hide money. Another source who declined to go on camera recalled that Epstein bragged that flying Prince Andrew around the world on his private jet was personally lucrative because the Prince served as the U.K. trade representative and Epstein could follow him into meetings with third world kleptocrats who needed his money-caching skills.

Rumors and speculation about intelligence connections swirl around the saga. Robert Maxwell is widely believed to have worked officially or unofficially for the KGB and Mossad, serving as a go-between and sometimes actual agent for both. He reportedly played a role as a bagman in the Iran Contra weapons deal, and helped the CIA get spyware into the Soviet Union. He definitely had ties to KGB, said ex-CIA agent Valerie Plame. He was used as an access agent to the very upper-crust of British society, British aristocracy.

Intelligence insiders told us Epsteins sex trafficking operation also looks like a kompromat op (essentially an operation to collect damaging information on decision-makers, with which to influence them) for some intelligence service. When this story first broke, I said to a former CIA colleague of mine, How many different intelligence organizations do you think are involved in this? Because this had an intelligence operation written all over it, former operative John Kiriakou told us. What any intelligence officer wants to do, needs to do to get promoted, to make a name for himself or herself is to recruit spies to steal secrets. So what better secrets do you want to steal than those held by the most important people in the world? Former presidents, titans of business, politicians.

One prominent New Yorker who associated with Epstein socially in New York recalled that Jeff had a knack for eliciting peoples needs and wants so effectively and quickly after meeting them, that it was as if hed been trained.

Where does all that leave Ghislaine Maxwell? Was she in love with Epstein or working for him? And why? Its not unusual to have intelligence services, once they have an access agent or informant, ask that individual to reach out to their children and bring them in, Plame told us. Usually for the same motivations that they got the first one.

The mystery of Ghislaine Maxwell might never be definitively solved, but her story exposes a shadow world of borderless wealth, where operators face off against influencers, secrets are worth money, and civilian laws dont always apply.

Nina Burleigh is an executive producer of, and interviewed in, the three-part documentary series, Epsteins Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell, produced by Blue Ant Studios. The original series will be available to stream on Peacock on June 24th.

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Behind the Scenes: On the Hunt for the Real Ghislaine Maxwell - Rolling Stone

Following a year in which many of us had to cut back on travel due to the pandemic, the world is opening up againmaking now the perfect time to watch Netflixs new series The Worlds Most Amazing Vacation Rentals. The show follows hosts Luis D. Ortiz (of Million Dollar Listing New York fame), Jo Franco, and Megan Batoon across eight episodes, each of which features three different rental properties (hand-picked by each host!) across the globe, making for a grand total of 24 sites.

Below, House Beautiful details everything you need to know about five of the properties, including ones in Georgia, Indonesia, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaiialong with insight from each of the hosts. To see all of the many sites in the series, head over to Netflixand plan your next vacation accordingly!

Alpaca Treehouse, Atlanta, Georgia

The Alpaca Treehouse in Atlanta, Georgia is one of few properties in The Worlds Most Amazing Vacation Rentals thats located in the United States. You never would expect a fully shrouded treehouse in a forest of bamboo would ever exist just a few minutes from downtown Atlanta, but it does," co-host Megan Batoon tells House Beautiful. "With alpacas and llamas walking around as youre eating your breakfast, you dont have to go far to experience something wild and surprising.

Fellow co-host Jo Franco reveals that the host of this property, Kara, built everything, from the actual treehouse, to the alpaca and llama sanctuary, in the spirit of repurposing. She reclaimed all of the materials used to make the treehouse from thrift stores, giving the rental a funky energy filled with history and stories to tell.

Additionally, Kara rescued the animals that roam the grounds. They're now living their best lives on this farm that doubles as the front yard for guests of the treehouse, eating as many carrots as they're fedpack more just in case," advises Franco.

Butterfly Camaya Bali, Bali, Indonesia

If heaven is made out of bamboo, it's the Butterfly Camaya Bali, Franco tells us. The entire stay made me feel like I was a princess in a Balinese fairy tale. Plus, getting to put my feet in the actual mud of the rice terraces and stumbling upon a pond with hundreds of rose petals connected me to the land in a way I'll never forget.

Batoon was also smitten with this property: Probably the most visually and aesthetically impressive stay on the show in my opinion would be Butterfly Camaya," she says. "From acres of verdant plants, to flower petal baths, and dreamy bamboo architecture, this place had it all for a design-obsessed traveler or anyone looking for a dream-worthy stay with a backdrop of beauty.

Quetzalcoatls Nest, Naucalpan de Jurez, Mexico

Located in Naucalpan de Jurez, Mexico, Quetzalcoatls Nest is a futuristic design haven like no other. Luis D. Ortiz tells House Beautiful that this was one of my favorite properties because we lived inside of somebody's work of art that went beyond just a home. Franco adds that this space looks as if Tim Burton, Salvator Dal, and Willy Wonka went into an architectural collaboration.

This structure was designed by Mexican architect Javier Senosiain, who took on the project after other developers gave up on building in such tricky terrain, reveals Franco. Not only did he succeed, but his solution to working with natureand celebrating itmakes him a genius, in my opinion, the co-host adds. The snake house is without a doubt much more than just the house. From the mosaic gates welcoming you into your movie-like stay, to walking down the steps and entering the mouth of a snake that decorates the entrance of a natural cave, it's hard to believe you're still on planet earth.

By renting this property, you will also be granted access to acres and acres of a perfectly manicured landscape, a greenhouse, and art installations scattered around the grounds," adds Franco.

Sitka Lighthouse, Sitka, Alaska

If youre the resident chef amongst your friends, the Sitka Lighthouse in Sitka, Alaska might just be the rental property of your dreams, as it offers one of the coolest culinary experiences, says Batoon. The hosts have commercial fishing boat connections and had fresh King Salmon delivered straight to the lighthouse that I cooked for dinnertry and compete with that, Postmates!

For Franco, this lighthouse boasts a special connection that ties back to some years ago. Years ago, I was reading a travel magazine on a plane and saw this cheeky red and white lighthouse engulfed by a sea of fog on its own island somewhere in Alaska. She adds, The photo stuck out in my mind, and my gut said, "I'm going to go there one day." I just had no idea it would be while filming a Netflix show about the world's best places to stay on vacation.

Fortunately, the co-host says the Sitka Lighthouse did not disappoint her anticipation. By the end of the trip, after eating King Salmon from a commercial fishing boat, soaking in a hot tub while spotting sea lions, and running around the top of our own lighthouse for the night, [fellow co-hosts] Megan and Luis were convinced the Sitka Lighthouse gave other private islands a run for their money.

Hale 'Ae Kai, Kauai, Hawaii

Traveling to Hawaii is certainly a common bucket list adventure (with good reason!), and Kauais Hale Ae Kai is definitely a spot youre going to want to stay at while checking this state off of your list. Ortiz says this spot is one of of the best waterfront views youll feel more than see, while Franco shares its one of the most luxurious of luxury stays.

Hale Ae Kai was actually the first property filmed for The Worlds Most Amazing Vacation Rentals, and Batoon reveals she remembers running over to Jos cabin after wrapping for the day and we laid outside in the warm Hawaii night sky and I saw my first shooting star. It was a perfect start to this entire experience.

Franco adds, We'd be outdoors most of the day because the property is designed to include and embrace naturethe outside blends with the inside, giving you the ultimate vacation feeling.

This property is a bit costly, so Franco says if you ever get a chance to wrangle together enough people to pay $14,000 a night for this luxury experience on steroids, I promise, you won't forget it.

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Netflixs New Series "The Worlds Most Amazing Vacation Rentals" Is Giving Us the Travel Inspiration We Need - HouseBeautiful.com

An aerial view of the luxurious private island of Pegassus. Photo Courtesy of Aria Hotels.

A private island available to rent in Greece, named Pegassus Island, is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious holiday getaways in the entire world.

The stunning Cycladic island is tucked away in the gulf of Petalioi, in the region of Evia.

It is easily accessible from Athens using a number of different transportation options which will enable a swift departure from the heat of the capital city for those who are lucky enough to take advantage of it.

Pegassus island, which is rented out by Aria Hotels, has a number of very high-end facilities for guests. Visitors will be greeted with their own private villa, which can comfortably sleep 14-16 guests and can be outfitted to accommodate up to 22 people upon request.

The villa is elegantly decorated and comes with a hamper filled with seasonal and local gourmet delicacies to make guests feel right at home as soon as they arrive. The accommodation has multiple bedrooms which feature en-suite bathrooms and other desirable amenities.

A lovely outdoor space to relax in on your own private island. Photo Courtesy of Aria Hotels.

The gorgeous accommodation available on Pegassus island is also surrounded by patios and shaded terraces for peaceful, cool areas to enjoy the one-of-a-kind Greek summer. Otherwise, guests can choose to lounge in the contemporary, open-plan kitchen and dining room or the living room, which even boasts a unique limestone fireplace for shoulder season use.

Other luxuries which allow for a stress-free vacation on the private island for rent in Greece include a daily complementary housekeeping service, on site staff and concierge services.

Additionally, guests can arrange for private chef services, pre-arrival grocery shopping, local transfers, massage treatments, helicopter services and boat rentals for a fee to guarantee the most lavish stay possible.

The beautiful island of Pegassus is nestled in the Aegean sea and can be accessed from the port of Rafina, near Athens.

Visitors who are flying in to Athens can be at the port of Rafina in less than 30 minutes and then have multiple options for getting to their own private slice of heaven.

A speedboat is available for bookings, which departs from Rafina and arrives at the private island within 30 minutes. Otherwise, visitors can opt to take a ferry to Marmari, a nearby fishermans wharf, which takes around an hour to get to from Rafina. Once there, visitors can expect to arrive at their private oasis in just 15 minutes.

Alternatively, a direct transfer from the port of Rafina to the island by helicopter can also be arranged. This mode of transport takes only 15-20 minutes and is definitely the scenic route, with the helicopter landing pad located just next to the villa.

One of the most incredible benefits of renting a private island in Greece is the optimal combination of privacy with an assortment of many different things to do to while away the days.

This perfect island getaway is surrounded by its own private beaches and coves with turquoise waters, perfect for the stylish and discreet traveler.

Multiple watersport facilities are available on Pegassus island. Photo Courtesy of Aria Hotels.

There are also multiple facilities available for visitors to partake in water sports, such as sea kayaks, water skis, and wake boards. Alternative water activities include windsurfing, snorkeling, diving and kite surfing gear, with instructors for professional personal training being available upon request.

The island also has multiple trails and paths for the more active visitor to enjoy as well.

Suitable for both hiking and biking, there are ten bicycles available on the property for both children and adults that can be used by guests at any time. These trails are perfect because they afford guests the ultimate in privacy while still preserving the sensation of being outdoors and in touch with the natural world.

Beach at Pegasus island. Photo: Courtesy of Aria Hotels

If visitors wish to add even more things to do to their itinerary, yoga lessons, day trips to Athens, excursions with motorboats or sail boats and visits to other islands are all available upon request.

All in all, it seems clear that Pegassus Island, the private island for rent in Greece, is the most lavish and exclusive vacation spot available in the entirety of the country.

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This Private Island for Rent in Greece is Heaven on Earth A private island available to - Greek Reporter

Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune Published 2:29 p.m. ET June 21, 2021

Passport up to date? Friends and loved ones excited to gather in-person outside of backyard settings?

Tune into Netflixs latest series The Worlds Most Amazing Vacation Rentals for ideas about locales, experiences and places to stay; itll have you jonesing for travel.

During the eight episodes, viewers are treated to adventures to Bali, the American Northwest/Southwest, Hawaii, gourmet food retreats, bizarre bed-and-breakfasts and private islands. The audience gets to take the 30-minute escapes with YouTubers Megan Batoon (a design gal and self-professed DIY-er), Jo Franco (a lifestyle and travel influencer) and Luis Ortiz from the Bravo reality television series Million Dollar Listing New York. During each episode, the trio picks vacation rentals based on various price points: Batoon chooses the best budget vacation rentals; Franco shows us unique vacation rentals; and Ortiz handles luxury rentals. The group stays two nights in each property to test them out, while providing tips and cultural details about the area and property. The journeys range from a four-story Birds Nest in the middle of a rice field in Bali to an upscale resort in Alaska that makes cocktails with ice from a glacier.

From left, Megan Batoon, Luis Ortiz and Jo Franco, and Luis Ortiz in "The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals: Season 1."(Photo: Netflix, TNS)

I think vacation rentals, especially going into summer travel and moving ahead, theyre a great option for people who want to be a little bit more secluded, who want to have more privacy and space, Franco said. There are so many options. So many of these kinds of shows where youre seeing extraordinary homes or vacation rentals, the pricing is really not relatable, but in our show thats not the case.

We talked with Franco prior to the show's Friday premiere to find out what travelers can expect in a world that is still reeling from the pandemic and its effects. Franco has traveled to more than 50 countries and speaks six to seven languages (shes currently learning Egyptian Arabic). The following interview has been condensed and edited.

Q: Are all of these properties on Airbnb and VRBO or are they hard to find?

A: These places are listed on these vacation rental platforms; its really just a matter of digging. Whats cool is the show is like a catalog of the best places. We did the searching, we found some really amazing stays and life-changing experiences thats my side of travel. Ive traveled for a decade and when I travel, I look at it as, Let me go learn something new learn a language, learn the culture, meet the people. So, the vacation rentals that I chose, you see that interaction with the hosts or you see us diving into the context there thats what was really special to me. These platforms are allowing us to look at the world as more of a classroom and less as a place to just stop in as a tourist.

Jo Franco in the "Best of Bali" episode of "The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals." The series showcases unique destinations and stunning vacation rentals around the world while providing valuable tips and expertise in real estate, travel and design.(Photo: Netflix, TNS)

Q: Has the pandemic shifted your travel perspective?

A: I think the pandemic has made safety top priority for most people, as it should. The pandemic showed us how global we really are: One thing would happen in one country, and then next month its happening in another, and that is a very tough thing to swallow. But it hasnt necessarily changed my thinking that travel is the best education. If were doing it safely, if were protecting ourselves and others, its still how I personally live my life and how I encourage others to explore and to learn about themselves in the world. Im excited to see travel opening up again. What I hope people get from the show is encouragement to just get out there, see the world and really look at travel not so much as this glitz-and-glam unattainable thing, but as an opportunity to experience a rich life, to learn things that you wouldnt have ever learned. And to just realize how much bigger the world is.

Q: Do you envision, once the show premieres, that there will be waitlists to rent the locales in the series?

A: I do think that theres gonna be some stiff competition for the rentals that you see in the show, so I recommend hopping on Airbnb now. I do think that what people might get out of the show is not necessarily specific places, but the idea that there are so many places to rent, because we only saw three properties per episode. So imagine how many more there are, and you could do this in all sorts of ways. Travel for food, travel for the bizarre, and you could continue doing that on and on, because there are endless amounts of categories, from small niche markets like paranormal, which is not that small anymore, to a big concept like gourmet stays. You can use your interest, find a home and attach it, so you get this well-rounded experience. I always say choose an interest or a passion, and let that guide your trip.

Q: Do you have a favorite experience from the show?

A: From the show, one of my favorite experiences has to be the igloo. It wasnt the most comfortable sleep by any means, but I absolutely was moved by Finland and the tranquility of being there in the middle of winter. Were in the northern part of Finland, by the Arctic Circle, and we see the northern lights and were on this beautiful frozen lake. Its really cool sleeping in something that you know is going to melt come spring. So its this one-in-a-million kind of opportunity, like youre staying in a one-of-a-kind home.

Streamingon Netflix.

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Find The Worlds Most Amazing Vacation Rentals on Netflix - The Detroit News

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is pleased to announce the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, marking the debut of the iconic luxury hospitality brand in this island paradise. Situated on the world-famous Grace Bay in Providenciales, The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos offers an idyllic tropical getaway, seamlessly blending the natural beauty of the destination with the legendary service and elegant accommodations for which The Ritz-Carlton brand is known.

Designed by Coleman Partners Architects, L.L.C., The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos is inspired by the island's natural splendor. Through the use of rich wood, the design narrative is rooted in the destination's Lucayan heritage, paying tribute to the people who have inhabited the islands, while the endemic flora of cactuses, sisals and sponges from Turks and Caicos are gracefully incorporated in the surroundings. This includes the native turk-head cactus, which is uniquely adapted in the arid climate and provides a magical desert charm.

The resort features 147 refined ocean view guest rooms, including 23 suites, which evoke beachfront elegance and showcase the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos also offers five three-story penthouse suites with private rooftop plunge pools and endless horizon views. A signature Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge offers an exclusive sanctuary that offers private check-in, a dedicated Club Concierge, and multiple culinary presentations throughout the day, in addition to dedicated service at the beach.

The resort offers a wide range of amenities designed for either a private getaway or engaging family vacation, including an adults-only pool with private cabanas and a recreation pool, both set within lush tropical landscapes. The Lady Grace, the private catamaran of The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, give guests an opportunity to explore beyond the shores, while activities such yoga on the beach are also available. A signature Ritz-Carlton Spa offers a true seaside oasis, and an opportunity for guests to relax and recharge with therapies inspired by the calming power of the ocean. Guests will enjoy a rejuvenating and personalized experience where an extensive menu of treatments embrace indigenous plants, offering a holistic approach to wellness. The resort's youngest guests can explore the natural wonders and cultural traditions of the island through the resort's signature Ritz Kids program. Children ages four through 12 can explore the island while gaining a better understanding of the marine life through educational activities or develop their inner artist with beach-inspired arts and crafts.

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The Ritz-Carlton Debuts In Turks & Caicos Hospitality Net - Hospitality Net

Submitted by the San Juan Island Library.

The San Juan Island Library is excited to announce the winners of its annual Bookmark Contest! Children from Kindergarten through fifth-grade were invited to celebrate books, reading, and art by participating in the Bookmark Contest. In conjunction with the 2021 Summer Reading Program theme, our young artists created illustrations representing Tails and Tales, or chose the overarching theme the Love of Reading.

Participants competed in categories by grade level for a chance to see their bookmark designs featured in print at the San Juan Island Library. Our 2021 Bookmark Contest winners are:

Kindergarten: Bayu King

First-grade: Griffin Beyers.

Second-grade: Kai Meehan

Third-grade: Jodie Wehner

Fourth-grade: Nadya Troutman

Fifth-grade: Hazel Johnson

Stop by the Library to pick up a winning bookmark, and to view all of the imaginative contest entries on display in the childrens area during the Librarys open service hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a 65-plus/high-risk population hour on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

A tremendous thank you to all of the students who participated, as well as to our public, private, and home schools for distributing bookmark templates and supporting the contest! Winners will receive a gift certificate for Griffin Bay Bookstore. Funding was provided by the Friends of the San Juan Island Library.

For more information about library updates, programming, and events, please visit the Library website at https://www.sjlib.org and follow us on social media.

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Library bookmark contest... - Journal of the San Juan Islands

I'm taking my first post-pandemic cruise this month out of the Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas on the Adventure of the Seas ship and I'm so excited.

The seven-day cruise will stop at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, as well as Grand Bahama Island and Cozumel, Mexico.

I love to travel, and I know there are a lot of people that think cruising is kind of corny or young kids are calling it "cheugy" these days but I love a cruise. The feeling of just sitting on my balcony and listening to the ocean is everything, and it's such a social experience.

The majority of my cruises have been on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but I've also done Carnival and Princess.

I've done Alaska, I've done pretty much every inch of the Caribbean, and probably my favorite cruise was on the Celebrity Solstice I did a repositioning cruise, a cruise that embarks from a different location than where it ends, from Hawaii to Vancouver in May 2019, and that was just amazing.

Some people assume bed bugs started in hotels, but they're actually brought in by people, and I think a lot of the sanitation issues aren't just on the cruise line themselves. It requires everyone that's going on them to be respectful and do their part.

Getting vaccinated also took a lot of stress off of the situation.

Even before COVID-19, on any ship I've ever been on they're just cleaning constantly. I don't really have that concern of getting sick because I think they've put some good procedures in place. They sent emails beforehand with information on their safety precautions as well as how to get tested for COVID-19 prior to boarding. I'm definitely ready.

I also have a travel blog, Halee with a Flair, on the side, so it made sense for me in a lot of ways.

Since my main career is in the hotel industry, it felt like everything was caving down on me at once. Initially, we didn't think it was going to last as long as it did.

My best friend is actually a travel agent who specializes in cruises and all-exclusives, and we were all like, "Okay, we're going to quarantine," but then we booked a Memorial Day cruise thinking by then it would be over.

Then that was canceled, and I had two other cruises, one booked for the end of 2020 in the Caribbean with my daughter and one originally booked for the end of March in the Western Mediterranean. I didn't think it was going to be quite as devastating as it was.

I ended up being laid off and had to start my own hotel sales consultation company, Hospitality with a Flair, which was crazy.

We all hang out, and now we have a travel group on Facebook with 400 people in it.

We were all cruising together three times a year in some capacity, so a lot of us haven't seen each other in over a year and a half now, so this is going to kind of be a big homecoming, with 25 of my friends from the group traveling on this cruise.

Halee Whiting on a trip in 2019. Halee Whiting

Two of the port days are at the cruise line's private island, which I've been to twice before, so we don't have a whole lot planned there except for snorkeling and enjoying being on that beautiful island they've built. It's got a lazy river and all kinds of things it's gorgeous.

Then in Cozumel, we're actually renting two Jeeps from a little local rental-car place and driving around to some of our favorite local bars and restaurants and just spending money locally to help get some of the cruise-port islands back on their feet.

Cozumel, for example, I've read is used to getting more than three-and-a-half million cruise passengers a year, and to go to nothing is hard.

I've been at least half a dozen times and just love that island, and the people are wonderful. We might also snorkel a bit too, because I met a guy down there who has a great local company. We're really just trying to give back to this industry that we love.

My best friend and I also host a show on Tuesdays that we call "Today in Travel," where we go live on YouTube and Facebook, and one of the things we talk about is if you're going to go on these cruises, just remember how kind and amazing the personnel on these ships are and that since these ships aren't full, give a little extra if you can. On our cruise, there's only about 1,200 people on board, when capacity is typically 3,900 guests.

I'll be departing from Fort Lauderdale and going to Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

It's a new class of ship for Celebrity Cruisesand a new ship for me to try, and I'm so excited to take my daughter on it because that ship is being captained by Captain Kate, who's one of the first female captains in the cruise industry. It has a new exclusive area called The Retreat Lounge and the Magic Carpet venue that slides up and down the side of the ship. It's just beautiful.

For that one, it's not really about the itinerary it's about the ship.

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Why I had no hesitations booking 2 cruises this summer - Business Insider

F is for Folegandros

Is this the quintessential Cycladic island? Sugar-cube village, clifftop monastery, luminous bays only accessible by boat or vertiginous dirt tracks check, check, check. Folegandros is no longer the hippy hideaway it once was, but it still has enough rustic charm and barefoot insouciance to be quietly, intensely cool.

Fly to Santorini then take the high-speed ferry (seajets.gr) to Folegandros. Family-run Anemomilos (00 30 22860 41309; anemomiloshotel.com) has stylish studios dangling on a cliff-edge, from 145.

You could have a perfectly lazy beach holiday on Crete, but the islands true nature is hidden in its spectacular gorges. Samaria is the most famous, but there are dozens of less challenging options. Maria Mylonaki, of Crete specialists Diktynna Travel, recommends the Aradena Gorge, which begins at an abandoned village and ends with a swim in the Libyan Sea; Agia Irini, shaded by ancient olive trees; or Zakros, whose caves contained Minoan tombs. The canyons resemble the Cretan character: rugged, rough, to be approached with caution, but always generous and by no means boring, says Mylonaki.

Diktynna Travels (00 30 28210 41458; diktynna-travel.gr) walking guides are not just wilderness and wildlife experts. They will unlock chapels covered in frescoes and pre-order fish soup at the best taverna.

Ouzo, intrigue, and Leonard Cohen, is how one review described A Theatre for Dreamers, Polly Samsons novel about an ingenues coming of age in the bohemian swirl of 1960s Hydra. The heady, languorous isle hasnt changed that much since then: its architectural integrity is intact, motorised vehicles are still banned, and courtyard tavernas draped in jasmine still thrum with artists, writers and muses. Yes, its craggy, costly, and has barely any beaches; but Hydras allure remains irresistible.

Bring the gang and shack up at Kamini House, (00 30 6932906377; hipawayvillas.com), the picture of blue-and-white perfection, with terraces shaded by exuberant bougainvillea. From 800 per night, sleeps 8.

A love affair between romantic Britons and the Ionian islands has been going on for 200 years, says Ileana von Hirsch, a native of Ithaca and founder of luxury villa agency Five Star Greece. The islands were part of the British Empire for 40 years. Edward Lear painted the Corfu landscape and Lord Byron was offered the crown of Ithaca by the locals (sadly he turned it down, but was tempted). The Durrells were following a respected tradition of fleeing Albions dank and grimy shores for the clarity of Ionian water, the soft breezes, sultry mountains and shady groves of cypress and olive.

With commanding views, elegant interiors, and access to a private jetty, Corfu MC is a testament to its Anglo-Greek owners fine taste. From 18,000 per week, sleeps 8 (020 8422 4885; fivestargreeece.com).

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An AZ of Greek islands and how to plan the perfect trip - Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph.co.uk

Bill Clinton & Jeffrey Epstein just cant seem to stay out of the news, as the alleged former pals tore up headlines last week.

This time, the story focuses on the twos relationship in comparison Epsteins with Prince Andrew. Audiences got to know Epsteins alleged relationships with both men when Netflixs Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich dropped in 2020, and ever since, interested parties have been scouring the web to find out any more details about Epsteins connection to Prince Andrew & Bill Clinton.

A noted royal author took to news outlets last week to harp on the idea that Prince Andrews alleged connection to Epstein is merely a way to take the publics mind off of the late alleged sex-traffickers rock-solid friendship with former U.S. president Bill Clinton. But is the author just trying to protect royal interests? Heres what we found.

Newsweek reported last week that a royal author is trying to take the focus off of Prince Andrew, considering alleged former friendships with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The author said Andrew had a much lesser relationship with Epstein, and he was only focused on so greatly to take the heat off Clinton. So who is this royal source?

The claims come from Lady Colin Campbell, a royal author & former reality TV contestant. Campbell has written multiple books about the royal family, but has also appeared on the reality TV show Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!.

Campbell recently went on GB News, a new British channel which champions itself on tackling touchy issues, like those surrounding the ever-harrowing saga of Jeffrey Epstein. Staying true to its perceived reputation, GB News proposed some tough questions.

On GB News, Campbell was asked whether she thought Prince Harry or Prince Andrew had a bigger effect on sullying the reputation of the royal family. Campbell began to split hairs in the interview, suggesting Epstein was attracted to adolescent girls, not pre-pubescent ones.

When pressed on the issue at hand, one focusing on Epsteins nefarious nature and Prince Andrews alleged friendship with Epstein, Campbell seemed to defend Prince Andrew more than condemn Prince Harry. Things got more interesting when Bill Clinton came into conversation.

After being asked about the damage Prince Andrew may have done to the royal family, Campbell harped on Bill Clintons alleged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Shes quoted saying, Lets remember that President Bill Clinton, who is a far bigger name and a far heavier hitter on the world stage than Prince Andrew, was a far greater friend [of Epsteins] and for far longer than Prince Andrew.

17-year-old Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who Epstein was accused of trafficking, says she saw Bill Clinton on Epsteins infamous private island, despite the former presidents denial to having been there. Campbell brought these inconsistencies to the minds of the informed when she told interviewers, Prince Andrew is to a large extent a distraction so that Bill Clinton will actually be kept out of the frame.

Despite denials from the parties involved, Virginia Giuffre says she saw Bill Clinton on Jeffrey Epsteins island saying, You know, I remember asking Jeffrey whats Bill Clinton doing here [on Epsteins island] kind of thing, and he laughed it off and said, Well he owes me favors in a 2016 deposition.

Furthermore, Giuffre says she was made to have sex three times with Prince Andrew, whom she has been photographed with during the alleged time period. The acts were to have taken place in London, New York and in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Whos scandal is more severe, Andrew or Bill? Sound off in the comments below!

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Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein really are more scandalous than Prince Andrew Film Daily - Film Daily

Picture this: youre laid out on a totally secluded white sand beach with an unobstructed view of the Caribbean and a drink in hand. Its quiet, with the exception of a few of your closest friends conversing nearby or your kids splashing in the waves. Theres no one else around for miles, save for the employees at the resort youre staying at. In fact, there are no other guests on the entire island just you and the company youve chosen to keep. Later, youll go back to the resort to share a meal prepared especially for you, comprised of all the freshest ingredients the island has to offer, no reservation required. There are no lines, no crowds, no wait times and virtually no rules.

Sound like a pipe dream? Turns out its really not so long as youve got the means to do it.

Private island stays were once reserved almost exclusively for the glitterati who either owned them or knew the folks who did and to be fair, most still are. That said, because it ticks all of the post-pandemic travel boxes (Distance! Isolation! Outdoors!), island buyouts as a trend are on the rise. And why wouldnt they be? At a time when people are seeking meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime travel and, for reasons that dont require much by way of an explanation, renting an entire island in Fiji or the BVIs definitely fits that bill.

Following a year in isolation, there has been an uptick in interest as many are in search of off-the-beaten-path destinations rooted in nature, seeing how Mother Nature in all her resplendent glory has the power to move and inspire, encouraging people to travel to far-flung secluded luxury destinations now more than ever, a rep for Kokomo Island says, affirming an increase in interest for opulent yet private travel.

Theres also been a reported increase in island buyouts among people specifically wanting to travel with their close friends, family or isolation pod. And if your pod is somewhere in the vicinity of 30 people, its probably exponentially more convenient and perhaps just as affordable to just rent an island, as opposed to reserving X amount of rooms at an already-busy resort or hotel.

To help decide which island most tickles your fancy, we talked to the folks who run a few of the most exclusive options in the world all of which are, at present, open to both standard travelers and full-site buyouts.

Kokomo

Kokomo Private Island

Located in the Fijian Islands (and not in South Florida, contradictory to what the Beach Boys may have you believe), Kokomo has recently been approved to welcome small groups of travelers to its shores by way of Fiji Airways exclusive business class or private jet company and its one of the only ways to visit Fiji at present.

Kokomo Island is a 140-acre private destination with 21 standalone luxury villas and five residences, all of which amount to one resort capable of hosting up to 30 guests for a full island buyout. Generally that is how it works guests reserve the entire island though it is possible for a few groups to reserve multiple rooms each and stay at the same time.

On top of attracting the anticipated honeymooners and wayfaring romantics, Kokomo has also become an incredibly popular destination for extended multi-generational family stays, with the average length of stay generally around two weeks.

Right now, as a result of the pandemic, groups are capped at 12, though larger groups may be accommodated subject to the approval of Fijis Ministry of Health and Medical Services. Bookings require a 12-night minimum stay from $36,000 per night, and given the recent travel surge, it is suggested that travelers start making plans and reservations up to two months in advance.

For availability and to book a private island buyout, travelers can email reservations@kokomoislandfiji.com.

Guana

Jonathan Becker

Guana is an 850-acre isle that offers seven beaches and never more than 35 guests at a time. Its touted as being the original private island getaway and has been a destination for discerning travelers looking for an escape since the 1930s.

On Guana, you can have an entire beach to yourself, or you can choose to be a bit more social. This year there has certainly been an increase in inquiries from small groups and families who want to reserve the entire island exclusively, island co-owner and award-winning documentary filmmaker Andrew Jarecki says. Few places in the world allow guests so much space and privacy without sacrificing first-rate service, a wide range of adventures or the stunning tropical setting.

Like Kokomo, there is only one luxury boutique hotel, which boasts 18 rooms and villas. Room rates start at $720 an all-inclusive rate that includes drink and three meals per day at the Club or Beach Bar, as well as access to sailboats, kayaks, tennis courts, fishing equipment, etc. But unlike Kokomo, there is no minimum stay.

[We] definitely get island buyouts where people want to take over the whole place that means that [guests] can work with the chef team to change up menus and dining times, or organize events on the island, a rep for the island says. More and more people want the space and natural serenity that comes with a vacation on Guana fewer screens, a deep connection with the natural environment, top-notch food and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

For availability and to book a private island buyout, travelers can email reservations@guana.com or call 800-544-8262 (ask for Jason).

Over Yonder Cay

Over Yonder Cay

Over Yonder Cay is a 42-acre island residing in the Bahamas Exumas chain, best known for being the worlds first eco-island its got a renewable power system that relies entirely on the wind and sun and its breathtaking architecture courtesy of Texas-based Architect Mihai Angelescu.

Once a remote fishing outpost, the island has since been repurposed to host parties of up to 28 at a time. Guests are welcome to spread out across any four of the uniquely designed villas Meridian House, West Sands, East Cove and South Point all which have their own private beaches, among other amenities. The Meridian House alone, for example, includes a conservatory, Steinway piano, 12-seat luxury movie theater, master suite with viewing tower, private garden, dressing room, salon, private courtyard and terrace.

In the event that isnt enough, all guests are also provided access to the resorts Cessna Caravan seaplane, which is available for excursions to other islands, as well as a nine-hole golf course and beach club.

Exclusive island rentals start at $44,000 per day based on an occupancy rate of 12 guests or fewer, but will allow groups of as many as 28 for an additional cost per person. Plan to make a reservation a few months in advance.

For availability and to book a private island buyout, travelers can visit https://overyondercay.com.

Necker Island

Virgin Limited Edition

Located in the British Virgin Islands, Necker is best known as being Sir Richard Bransons private island paradise, which millennials will surely remember receiving an exclusive tour of via MTV Cribs in 2004. Despite being one of most exclusive islands in the world, it is still very much available for private use.

Spanning 74 acres, Necker is considered one resort, though there are multiple accommodations scattered across the island, capable of hosting up to 40 guests and six children in total. And while it is typically booked for that sort of exclusive use throughout the year, according to Vanessa Neal, Group Director of Sales and Marketing for Virgin Limited Edition, during selected weeks, the island opens up hotel-style to allow individual guests to book rooms on a non-exclusive basis, or for small groups of 8-15 people to book partial exclusivity of the island.

The exclusive-use bookings are for a minimum of seven-night stays and costs $105,000 per night for up to 40 guests, and include the use of 20 bedrooms 11 in the Great House, plus the Leha Lo, Bali Hi, Bali Beach, Bali Cliff, Bali Lo, Bali Buah, Bali Kukila, Temple Master and Temple Sunrise. The cost includes all meals and drinks (including the alcoholic variety), return launch transfer from the Virgin Gorda or Beef Island airport, pools and beach access, tennis courts, water sport equipment and island entertainment (including Bransons considerable zoological holdings, which include the most diverse lemur population outside of Madagascar). It is suggested that travelers start making plans and reservations several months in advance.

The BVIs have been fortunate enough to have one of the lowest number of COVID cases in the world and with Necker Island renowned for offering an idyllic hideaway for guests, we think there will be an even greater desire for this home from home time away with loved ones in a post-pandemic world, Neal says.

We are fortunate to be able to offer complete seclusion on the island and absolute personalisation, with an abundance of nature and wildlife; and we look forward to continuing to welcome both new and repeat guests in the coming months.

For availability and to book a private island buyout, travelers can visit https://www.virginlimitededition.com/.

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How to Rent Out Four of the Most Exclusive Private Islands on Earth - InsideHook