Category Archives: Private Islands

YOU can rent an entire private island in Ireland with 21 of your mates for just 40 each a night.

Collanmore Island, just 10 minutes from the town of Westport, can welcome groups of friends or families across the four bedrooms.

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It takes just two minutes to get to the island, with a return fare from Rosmoney Pier just 10 each.

On the island is a private beach with water activities such as kayaking and paddle boarding available.

Also on the island is a private bar which you can stock with your own drinks, and an outdoor seating area and BBQ area with amazing views of the sea.

A hot tub and steam room is also open to guests and the lodge includes WiFi and air conditioning.

If the weather drops, then there are amazing views from inside too with floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area.

Previous guests have praised the "stunning views" on the island with views of Clew Bay.

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One person wrote: "The views are stunning and the activities are endless. We were heartbroken when our stay was up."

Another person added "Definitely be interested in returning next summer when the weather is a bit better and do some of the water sport activities!"

Nights start from 880, but if you can split it between 22 of you then you only have to pay 40 per night each.

Sadly its fully booked for summer but you can find available dates for October.

If you can book for a week, you get a 50 per cent discount - meaning it would set you back just 20 each per night.

WAITING GAMESpain, Greece and Portugal face 'amber' list next month with quarantine rules

WAITING GAMEOnly EIGHT countries 'to be on green list when travel returns on May 17'

WHAT A STEALBrits are offering to pay DOUBLE to 'steal' UK holiday bookings due to demand

HOP TUI ITBoost for summer holidays as TUI boss says they WILL go ahead this year

PITCH INTikTok fans go mad for sold out 20-person tent bigger than a studio flat

We've rounded up some of the best private islands you can rent in Europe including France, Spain and Croatia without splashing the cash.

Or, you can buy a a number of private islands from just 51,000 - less than the cost of a UK flat.

A private island in the Bahamas is up for sale, with six miles of beach, although you will have to drop some serious cash.

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You can rent an entire private island in Ireland with your mates for 40pppn including a bar, sauna and h... - The Sun

Weve been hearing a lot about vaccine passports and destinations getting creative with ways to lure travelerslike offering to subsidize your travel costs on a trip to Malta this summer. But a glamorous group of islands in the Indian Ocean just announced an idea we can get onboard with: The Maldives are planning to give travelers a Covid-19 vaccination when they arrive on vacation.

This new initiative, which the countrys tourism minister Abdulla Mausoom announced on CNBC, is just one part of three-pronged attempt to revive the countrys economy. Mausoom calls it a 3V strategyvisit, vaccinate and vacation. The date when it will go into effect hasnt been announced yet.

The idea comes on the heels of another creative concept that the Maldives cooked up in the past year: the worlds first-ever destination loyalty program. Called Maldives Border Miles, its like an airline frequent flier program, with travelers earning points based on the number of visits and the duration of their stay. Visitors can also earn additional points for celebrating special occasions in the Maldives.

Like many other destinations that depend on tourism, the Maldives has been hard hit during the pandemic. Tourism accounts for about 28% of the economy. Typically, upwards of 1.7 million visitors come to the Maldives every year. In 2020, the archipelago saw less than a third of that number, with 555,494 foreigners vacationing in these idyllic islandsthough that was actually considered a success story.

Sea plane flying above the Maldives, which has just announced that it will be offering vaccinations ... [+] to travelers.

Since July 2020, theMaldiveshas allowed travelers from any country to visitand it is trying to make it easier and easier. On April 16, the country announced that it will allow people who are fully vaccinated to enter, restriction-free, two weeks after their second dose. Unvaccinated foreign visitors must have a negative PCR test prior to departure. Visitors also have to download a national contact tracing app and use it during their journey.

TheCDC has the country at a level 4for a very-high level of Covid, though numbers have been decreasing in this island nation, with90new infections reported on average each day. According toReuters, about 28.6% of the countrys 500,000 residents are fully vaccinated, and Mausoom says that 90% of its front-line tourism workers have been vaccinated.

Given the prospect of this exciting new initiative, we think its an ideal time to start dreaming about a trip to these dreamy islands. Check out a few of the most beautiful places in the Maldives.

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

Six Senses Laamu,Maldives

An idyllic palm-fringed paradise, Six Senses Laamu,Maldives combines luxury and sustainability. An award-winning marine conservation initiative based at the resort focuses on research, guest education and community outreach goals. And for budding conservationists age 6 to 16, theres a unique Junior Marine Biology program.

Anantara Kihavah Villas's underwater SEA restaurant.

Anantara Kihavah Villas

A promise of great adventures awaits at Anantara Kihavah Villas. Go snorkeling with manta rays, stargaze at the only overwater observatory in theMaldives and enjoy fine dining underwater at SEA, the worlds first oceanic restaurant and wine cellar. The resort also has the largest collection of private pool residences in the world.

Soneva Jani

Soneva Jani

Soneva Jania collection of island sanctuaries and overwater villas set within a lagoon of crystal-clear waterscaters to everyone from kids to honeymooners. With the new Soneva Academy, children aged 12 and up can take a series of educational courses that cover a range of fascinating topics relevant to the Maldives, from Marine Life to the Night Sky to Zero Waste. (The program is also offered at sister property Soneva Fushi.)

Hurawalhi Maldives and its underwater restaurant.

Hurawalhi Maldives

An adults-only paradise, HurawalhiMaldivesis famous for its 5.8 Underwater Restaurant. Its located in theLhaviyaniAtoll, where there are more than 50 dive sites within easy reach.

COMO Maalifushi

COMO Maalifushi

For ocean and beach lovers,COMO Maalifushi is well regarded for its diving and surf breaks. One of the newest water excursions is theWhale Shark Night Snorkel. Guests are taken on a boat from the resort to find the largest fish in the sea. The clear Maldivian waters allow for an aquarium-like view of the gentle giants.

Soneva in Aqua yacht.

Soneva in Aqua

Travelers can now set sail from the barefoot luxury resortSoneva Fushi on a new four-day, three-night Goidhoo experience aboardSoneva in Aqua. The yacht offers an ultra-luxurious escape to the island of Goidhoo, which can only be reached by boat and offers a rare untouched paradise full of vibrant marine life and corals.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Set on two islands, Niyama Private IslandsMaldives is the only luxury resort in theMaldiveswith its own wave breaking onto the shore. After a day of surfing, guests can hang out at the Surf Shack with its tomato-red food truck, comfy bean bags and seaside swings, relaxing to a reggae soundtrack. The hotels 134 villas, suites and pavilions are dotted along the beaches and extend out over the lagoon

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-CarltonMaldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-CarltonMaldives, Fari Islands aims tobring families together, spark curiosity in young minds and challenge the notion that getting away from it all means sitting still.There are 30 different activities for kids, including several adventures with Jean-Michel Cousteaus Ambassadors of the Environment Programfrom anislandtreasure hunt to a bike safari round the resort.

Velaa Private Island

Velaa Private Island

In 2020,Velaa Private Islandplanted 2,000 new corals and is now seeing a surge in tropical fish and thriving marine life in the transplant areas.This year, Velaa offers eco-conscious guests the chance to shadow the coral biologists by collecting research as they snorkel and plant new corals themselves.

Skydiving at The Nautilus Maldives.

The Nautilus Maldives

The NautilusMaldives has launched a new adrenaline-fueled adventure:skydiving, allowing adrenaline-lovers to jump from heights of 12,000 feet above the Indian Ocean and enjoy a full 360-degree view of the baa atoll.

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island

An exclusive resort with 15 overwater villas, KudadooMaldivesPrivate Island has a fully-inclusive Anything, Anytime, Anywhere approach.All private dining, access to an expansive wine cellar, spa treatments and water experiences are fully included in the price per night.

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This Country Wants You To Visit So Badly, Itll Give You A Covid Vaccine - Forbes

Sixteen years ago, Hubert Winston was standing on a beach in Dominicas Prince Rupert Bay, watching a string of yachts sail by in the distance. It looked like a flotilla, recalls Winston, who had just moved back to the island from Florida.

They were traveling between Martinique and Guadeloupe, but not one of them ever stopped here. I didnt understand that. We had so much to offer.

With no marinas or international airport, the lush, mountainous island represented a big X on superyacht charts. Captains were reluctant to venture to Dominica in case they had engine problems or couldnt find a decent anchorage. Theyd rather visit its French neighbors, with plenty of marinas, than gamble with the unknown, alluring as the green island looked from the distance.

Secret Bays Zabuco Honeymoon Villa, perched on a clifftop promontory.Photo Courtesy: Secret Bay

Even now Dominica remains a tightly held secret among superyacht owners. It turns out that the crewstypically young, restless and adventurousstarted going to the island for R&R, then informed their owners about what an unspoiled paradise it is. Nicknamed the Nature Island, it offers a natural bounty of mountain terrain, rainforests, dormant volcanoes and coastal reefs that is unparalleled in the Caribbean. The locals provide the same authentic welcomea bit cautious but unmistakableI experienced on other islands 30 years ago, before it evaporated with modern development and stock-market booms. No condo commandos have invaded Dominica, thanks to its relative inaccessibility.

That aura of untouched remoteness has proven to be a siren song for superyachts, which typically gather in Prince Rupert Bay and smaller, more intimate anchorages, where the only other vessels are a few sailboats and the local fishing fleet, with its brightly colored wooden hulls.

Named by Christopher Columbus, who first sighted it on his second voyage to the hemisphere, in 1493, Dominica was colonized by the French and then traded back and forth between France and England across the 18th century. Gallic vestiges endure, though the few fortresses on the water were built by the British to repel French attacks. The country gained full independence from the UK in 1978. Prized for its bananas, grapefruit and oranges, it has otherwise remained a largely unspoiled Eden. Rustic charm, clich as it sounds, describes the island perfectly. Waterfront cafs with names like Keepin it Real and Cocoyea serve seafood caught from nearby bays and just-picked tropical-fruit juices. Scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed across the island because of its unsullied beauty.

Dominica is for a certain kind of client who loves to experience nature up close and personal, says Gina Robertson, a charter broker with Fraser Yachts, ticking off adventure experiences that include canyoning, kayaking and hiking nature trails. In Dominicas favor: Its not the same old same old. Nowadays, charterers dont want to do just the milk runs, and many are on extended charters, so will have more time to explore islands in depth.

The open-air Gommier Spa on Secret Bay overlooks Cabrits National Park.Photo Courtesy: Secret Bay

Andrew Cobra OBrien was one of the pioneers who introduced Dominica to the superyacht community. To compete with other islands, which have bustling marinas providing all manner of conveniences, he founded Cobra Tours & Yacht Services, offering fuel, provisions and mechanic services, as well as customs clearance and private tours of the island. Cobra Tours was instrumental in opening up Dominica by demonstrating that, even without a marina, seafarers would be well cared for. We used to go to yacht shows in Monaco and Ft. Lauderdale to spread the word about what a great destination Dominica is, he says. His firm joined professional groups, including the International Superyacht Society, to help bolster the islands reputation among charter brokers. Last season was the best for superyachts wed ever had. We serviced 30 or 40 of them.

Often, he adds, they come after having their fill of shopping and upscale restaurants on Antigua or St. Barts. Now 95 percent of the yachts dont just stumble on Dominica, OBrien says. Its a destination.

Several other firms that supply visiting vessels have emerged, including Winstons Dominica Yacht Services. Winston, who worked in Floridas marine industry, among other things, before returning to his homeland, saw an untapped market. There was a disconnect back then, but we got the word out to the yachting world, he says. We changed the whole notion of getting stuck in Dominica.

The island has since attracted the late Paul Allens 414-foot Octopus, Nat Rothschilds Planet Nine, Andrey Melnichenkos 390-foot Motor Yacht A and the late Steve Jobss Venus, among others. Bill Gates, Robert De Niro and Edward Norton have been spotted on superyacht tenders in Prince Rupert Bay. Five-star resorts, including Secret Bay and Cabrits Resort & Spa, with a pier on Douglas Bay, have welcomed yacht owners to their bars and restaurants.

Dominica is awash in prime diving spots.Photo Courtesy: Jungle Bay Dominica

Pre-Covid, of course. The rules have changed, with a negative PCR test required 24 to 72 hours before arrival; a visitor also takes a rapid test upon arrival, and it must be negative to enter. Then the visitor must quarantine at a government-designated spot and take yet another test on day five. If the results are negative, one is free to go anywhere. For owners or charter guests with time constraints, sitting on the yacht for six days is a non-starter, especially with that stunning but untouchable backdrop. But in Dominica, the notion of quarantine isnt quite so rigid as elsewhere. The authorities have set up the Safe in Nature program, in which visitors may stay at some of the islands most exclusive resorts and see the approved sights (the best on the island) with a private, Covid-certified guide. Not every resort allows guests off-property, but the two where I stayedSecret Bay Resort at the north end and Jungle Bay Resort & Spa at the southdo. I was not only able to move relatively freely around the island but also to transfer between the two resorts over the six days.

Covid or not, Dominica remains largely undiscovered compared to the heavily boated islands. With 260 square miles of hills and mountains, and the majority of its population of 74,000 living on the coast, most of the interior is rural or undeveloped. Everybody has cruised the [British Virgin Islands], says Winston. We have something different, something special. Guests just fall in love with our serenity.

For yachts, the action is concentrated at the northern and southern ends. Bays on the north side of the island offer sublime, light-blue water, wide-open anchorages and easy access to the town of Portsmouth by tender. The bays often live up to their names. With its two beaches and reef colored by tropical fish, Secret Bay really is. Even though its just around the corner from the much busier Prince Rupert Bay, captains tend to avoid it because of exposure to shifting winds, and instead drop anchor on its edge and send in tenders.

North of Prince Rupert Bay, the road follows a string of more baysDouglas, Toucari, Marceau and Connorthat make postcard-perfect anchorages, with inland destinations like Cold Sulphur Springs (a dormant volcano crater that emits caramel-colored, sulphur-infused water) and Chaudiere Pool, a 30-foot-deep pool beneath a waterfall, being among the norths natural wonders. Four-wheeling up narrow mountain roads to Chaudiere, we pass tiny farms with pineapples and coconuts. Around every corner theres another exceptional ocean view.

Zabuco Villas private plunge pool and outdoor shower.Photo Courtesy: Secret Bay

For a relatively small island, Dominica has diverse terrain. The Indian River is like an Amazon tributary, with slow-moving brackish water and thick vegetation on the banks. I spend a few hours with Fire, a fiftysomething Rastafarian, rowing a handmade red, yellow and green wooden boat upstream. Fire recites the English, Creole and French names for virtually every tree and flower we pass. At the top, we stop at a plantation, a sign at the empty caf reading: time stands still at the bush bar. Thats the feeling I have all week.

The number of outsiders visiting Dominica is a sliver of what it would be during a normal season, so I seem to have the riverand almost every- thing elseto myself. At Secret Bay resort, with its focus on privacythere are just 10 villas, all overlooking the oceanI have a private-chef experience with Fbio Fernandes. The resorts executive chef is a Lisbon native who trained at a Michelin-star restaurant in Portugal and worked at award winners in Austria, Africa and the UK. He plans daily menus around me, as I dine alone on the open terrace of the Zing Zing Restaurant. Fernandes uses locally sourced tuna and kingfish, not to mention farm-to-table vegetables, and elevates them many levels, with creative presentations and fusions of unlikely ingredients. His signature Zero Miles Tuna, with sustainable ingredients, blends sushi-grade fish, shado beni emulsion, mango and ginger gels, and pumpkin puree.

The southern part of the island is all about the water, even inland. Trafalgar Falls, Titou Gorge and Boiling Lake practically beg to be photographed and shared, while the southwestern corner is one of the worlds highest-ranked dive and snorkeling sites. The area south of Champagne Beach down to the protected arm of land at Scotts Head is part of the SoufrireScotts Head Marine Reserve, so yachts must anchor north in LAnse Bateau. Visitors also have to hire local guides for diving and snorkeling. The reserve is mostly a haven for reef fish, but pods of dolphins and even sperm whales are occasional visitors.

Batibou Beach, shaded by a canopy of coconut trees, is popular for swimming and snorkeling.Photo Courtesy: Discover Dominica Authority

With good conditions, visibility is 80 feet below the surface, says Weefers Jules, my guide from Jungle Bay resort, who has been a Dominica dive master for 20 years. With a front having just passed through, the usually clear waters of Champagne Reefso named because the volcanic gases venting through fissures form bubblesare muddied, so we kayak to Labym, or the Abyss, below Witchs Point, where the shoreline reef transitions into a vertical wall that drops 1,000 feet. The water is cool, and wind gusts are pushing us offshore a bit, but the fins propel me through the reef. Schools of sergeant majors, doctor fish, angelfish and spotted moray eels swim around us, while a few stingrays flee into the deep. A hundred yards away, a group is free-diving.

With thousands of dives under his belt, Jules says he never tires of the marine life in Soufrire Bay, the islands dividing line between the calm Caribbean Sea and the much fiercer Atlantic. Within a relatively small space, the Soufrire reservean UNESCO World Heritage Siteoffers a half-dozen world-class dives, such as Scotts Head Pinnacle, beginning with a rock formation called Swiss Cheese, and leading to a volcanic crater that drops as far as 2,000 feet at the center. There are hundreds of soldier fish at the entrance, he says. When you turn sideways, there are lobsters and eels in the walls cracks. At the northern edge of the Soufrire crater, five underwater peaks called Danglebens Pinnacles host plenty of reef fish and also offer glimpses of turtles and horse-eye jacks.

Prince Rupert Bay, on the islands northwest coast, is a popular anchorage.Photo Courtesy: Discover Dominica Authority

The Atlantic side of Dominica has yet more dive sites, including the spectacular Mountain Top, and the northern end of the island has nearly a dozen others, including one, called Elephants Ass, so secluded that most locals dont even know about it. There are also opportunities to swim with sperm whales. Because of Covid-related cancellations, the nearly three-year wait for the experience can be closer to a few weeks.

After snorkeling, I return to Jungle Bay, my home on the southern end of the island. Its an eco-resort with private villas built of local wood and stone, two yoga studios, a restaurant overlooking the water and a Zen-like spa. Nature trails, banana plants and stone walls, plus a large Buddha, define the resort. Like Secret Bay, its an ocean sanctuary.

That feeling of sanctuary, with a heightened sense of exclusivity, is ultimately what attracts superyacht owners to Dominica. And why theyre not telling their friends.

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How the Lush Caribbean Island of Dominica Became a Superyacht Haven - Robb Report

With MSC Cruises set to operate 10 ships in Europe this summer, it will need to get a nine ready to join the already-sailing MSC Grandiosa.

Here are the latest location's of the MSC fleet:

MSC SeashoreYear Built: 2021Capacity: 4,560 guestsLocation: Monfalcone, Italy

The MSC Seashore is still being built by Fincantieris Monfalcone shipyard. The vessel is in final stages of construction, ahead of its inaugural cruise, currently scheduled for August 1, 2021.

MSC VirtuosaYear Built: 2021Capacity: 4,888 guestsLocation: Le Havre, France

Recently delivered to MSC Cruises, the MSC Virtuosa is docked in Le Havre, France. A sister to the 2019-built MSC Grandiosa, the vessel is set to enter service in the United Kingdom, on May 20, 2021.

MSC GrandiosaYear Built: 2019Capacity: 4,888 guestsLocation: Western Mediterranean

Currently the only MSC ship in service, the Grandiosa is sailing a seven-night itinerary to Italy and Malta. The cruise departs Genoa every Sunday and includes calls in ports such as Naples, Civitavecchia and Valletta.

MSC BellissimaYear Built: 2019Capacity: 4,500 guestsLocation: Dubai, UAE

Sailing in the Emirates when cruises were suspended in March 2020, the MSC Bellissima has been in Dubai for over a year. China-bound, the 2019-built ship is expected to depart the region for Asia in the near future.

MSC SeaviewYear Built: 2018Capacity: 4,140 guestsLocation: Trieste, Italy

The MSC Seaview arrived in Italy in January 2021, after nearly a year un Brazil. Currently, the vessel is docked in Trieste, along with the MSC Poesia and the MSC Sinfonia. It is set to cruise in Europe this summer, homeporting in Germany.

MSC Meraviglia Year Built: 2017Capacity: 4,500 guestsLocation: Ocean Cay, Bahamas

With cruises cancelled until June 30, the MSC Meraviglia was most recently at Ocean Cay, MSC s private island in the Bahamas. One of companys U.S.-based ships, it is spending the operational pause between the Bahamas and the United States.

MSC SeasideYear Built: 2017Capacity: 4,140 guestsLocation: Palermo, Italy

After several months in the Bahamas, the MSC Seaside crossed the Atlantic earlier this year. Now, the ship is docked in Palermo, awaiting to resume service on May 1, 2021.

MSC PreziosaYear Built: 2013Capacity: 3,500 guestsLocation: Naples, Italy

The MSC Preziosa remains docked in the Port of Naples since January 2021. Previously, the Fantasia-class ship was spending the operational pause in the Bahamas, along other U.S.-based MSC ships. The MSC Preziosa is set to cruise from June 21 from Hamburg, Germany and the MSC Musica on June 20 from Warnemunde, Germany, if the German ports are open, MSC announced.

MSC DivinaYear Built: 2012Capacity: 3,500 guestsLocation: Civitavecchia, Italy

Previously used on a crew repatriation plan, the MSC Divina is presently docked in the Port of Civitavecchia, in Italy.

MSC MagnificaYear Built: 2010Capacity: 2,550 guestsLocation: Genoa, Italy

The MSC Magnifica resumed service in October 2020, becoming the second MSC ship to welcome passengers back. With the operation again suspended a few weeks later, the vessel returned to Genoa, where it remains docked.The plan is to have the ship sailing on June 20 offering embarkation in the Italian ports of Venice on Sundays, Bari on Mondays and Piraeus for Athens on Wednesdays and calling at the Greek Island of Mykonos and Split, Croatia.

MSC SplendidaYear Built: 2009Capacity: 3,300 guestsLocation: Augusta, Italy

After spending a few months in Malta, the MSC Splendida arrived in the Italian port of Augusta in April 2021.The MSC Splendida will begin sailing on June 12 with embarkation in Trieste, Italy on Saturdays and in Bari on Tuesdays, calling at Dubrovnik in Croatia, Corfu in Greece and Kotor in Montenegro.

MSC FantasiaYear Built: 2008Capacity: 3,300 guestsLocation: Taranto, Italy

The MSC Fantasia is currently docked in a commercial quay in Taranto, Italy. After a period laid up in Portugal, the ship arrived in Italy in May 2020.

MSC PoesiaYear Built: 2008Capacity: 2,550 guestsLocation: Trieste, Italy

Previously laid up in Brazil, the MSC Poesia arrived in Trieste this month. The Musica-class vessel also spent time in Sicilia recently.

MSC OrchestraYear Built: 2007Capacity: 2,550 guestsLocation: Brindisi, Italy

The MSC Orchestra is currently in Brindisi, Italy. The ship arrived Europe recently, after several months in South Africa.The ship is set to cruise on June 5 with embarkation in the Italian ports of Venice on Saturdays, Bari on Sundays, calling at the Greek Islands of Corfu, Mykonos as well as Dubrovnik in Croatia.

MSC MusicaYear Built: 2006Capacity: 2,550 guestsLocation: Valletta, Malta

After arriving in Italy in December, the MSC Musica sailed to Malta recently. The ship is now docked in Valletta, near the Palumbo Group shipyard,which was partly acquired by MSC recently.

MSC OperaYear Built: 2004Capacity: 1,712 guestsLocation: Messina, Italy

One of the first MSC ships to have its cruises suspended due to COVID-19, the MSC Opera is docked in Messina, Italy.

MSC LiricaYear Built: 2003Capacity: 1,560 guestsLocation: Augusta, Italy

After suffering a fire incident in Corfu, the MSC Lirica departed Greece on April 14. The vessel is currently anchored off the Port of Augusta.

MSC Sinfonia Year Built: 2002Capacity: 1,554 guestsLocation: Trieste, Italy

Along with the MSC Seaside and the MSC Poesia, the MSC Sinfonia is docked in Trieste. The vessel arrived in Italy in December from Brazil.

MSC ArmoniaYear Built: 2001Capacity: 1,554 guestsLocation: Ocean Cay, the Bahamas

The MSC Armonia is currently anchored off Ocean Cay, MSCs private island in the Bahamas. n

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Where Is the MSC Fleet of Cruise Ships? - Cruise Industry News

But the truth is that not every person knows exactly where the Kuril Islands are located, so we have decided to embark on an expedition to tell everyone in the world about our treasure.

The Russian Surfing Federation (RSF) has many similar-minded people on their team.

Surf training in Russia began a few years ago when the sport reached an Olympic level.

Seven years ago, it was hard to imagine that surfing would be supported at the highest governmental level.

But romantic and crazy adventurers change the world.

So Russian surfers Andrey Knaus, Sergey Zhukovskiy, and Tatiana Dudova started working closely with the Russian Ministry of Sport and the Russian National Olympic Committee.

In four years, more than 20 events and national championships were held, and more than six public festivals took place all over the central part of Russia.

Simultaneously, we sealed the deal with a famous Portuguese surf coach and set up several training camps for the national team.

Russia became an active member of the European Surfing Federation (ESF) and developed fruitful relations with the International Surfing Association (ISA) by taking part in almost all international competitions.

The dream of developing a national surfing team has become a long-lasting goal for the sport in the country.

It is a dream to find regular ocean waves on the Russian shores.

This dream guided us during the Covid-19 pandemic, as we decided to try and find a place where we could organize a sustainable training strategy for the team before the start of the 2021 international surfing season.

We have many spots with ocean waves in our country, butmost of them are of very difficult access. A good example is Commander Islands beaches.

Another relevant factor is that water temperature is around 2 C in spring.

We also have other popular surf locations, such as the Kamchatka peninsula and the Sakhalin Island, and we plan to run different official events there during future seasons.

That's why we keep on searching.

When I was on private holidays in the Russian Far East last year, I realized that logistics are quitegood and affordable there.

And you can walk from the hotel to the surf breaks without wasting time on transfers.

So, we decided to try and organize the first-ever surf training camp in Russia on Kuril's Kunashir Island.

We prepared this event for almost two months because the athletes needed all the necessary equipment.

Many national team members train in Russia all year round, so they are mentally ready for the cold water and freezing Russian spring weather.

The problematic part of such trips is uncertainty.

"It was difficult for us to make predictions and analyze the forecast because we have never had professional surfers there," explains Sergey Zhukovskiy, the executive producer of Russian national surfing events.

"We've only had several dreamer-surfers, and the weather has always been unpredictable."

"Nevertheless, we were sure that the town by the Pacific Ocean shore had accommodation with a full meal package included. But that was all we knew."

"So, in other words, we set up an expedition because we were not able to even imagine what this trip would be like at all."

The pioneering Russian surf project included athletes from shortboard, longboard, and SUP disciplines.

"That provided us with full expertise, so we could confirm whether the locationwas suitable for developing our surfing," adds Andrey Knaus, the president of the Russian Surfing Federation.

Kunashir Island is the southernmost island of Kuril's archipelago.

"We predicted that this island would be one of the first getting Pacific swells like Hawaii on the other side of the Pacific Ocean."

"We believed that these waves could be suitable for the two-week training session at least several times during the trip, but the reality exceeded our expectations."

The wave conditions allowed us for a two-hour session, twice a day, and for 12 days. On three days, we had world-class waves.

"And picture this: there was no one except the six of us and a few curious seals nearby," adds Pedro Barbudo, the head coach of RSF.

"The potential of Kunashir island is incredible. We could not imagine the scale of it. The conditions are acceptable for everyday training procedures and beginners almost every day."

"Keep on searching for the Russian surf" became the motto of this exploratory trip.

During their free time, Russian wave ridersexplored more than 30 different surf spots, 20of whichlocated within a one-hour driving distance of Yuzhno-Kurilsk.

Other surf breaks were available and could be explored near the hotel.

There was also an opportunity to visit and check the conditions on Shikotan Island, which is only 80 kilometers away from Kunashir.

Conditions there are really different from Kunashir, but it should be more interesting to explore them during the summertime because this island is very friendly and has no dangerous wildlife.

It is very important to stress that during the summer season, the water temperature in the Pacific Ocean is around 16-18 C, and the air temperature is over 20 C.

That makes surfing even more attractive because there are not many places in the world with uncrowded line-ups like these ones.

The exploratory mission was a success.

The athletes trained a lot, and the inconveniences of cold water were compensated by the number of waves and the intensity of the training sessions.

The team included surfers Sergey Mysovsky, Evgeniy Isakov, Max Fomin, Mitya Ilyasov, Mayi Rudik, and Elena Prokhorova.

The experienceexponentially increased the overall technical level of athletes, and everybody left dreaming of developing and setting up a Russian surf industry.

"It is crucial to have surfboards, leashes, wax, fins, and wetsuits produced in Russia," notes Maxim Fomin, a longboarder of the Russian national surfing team.

But the other goal of the expedition was to find a place where the training headquarters could be installed in the future.

In the meantime, it is vital to attract the future generation right now.

We need to inspire and tell children that the Olympic dreams are not only in hockey and winter sports but also in surfing.

For us, the mission of fighting for clean oceans and respecting Nature is critical, and through surfing, children can now embrace these priorities into their lives.

The creation of Russia's first surfing center supported by different governing authorities, such as the regional ministry of sport and local towns, will change the image and tourism of the region.

Traveling, surfing, and exploring broaden people's horizons, and our mission is to make our country and people a little bit better.

We will continue promoting education and culture through surfing across our country and abroad.

Words by Tatiana Dudova | Director at Russian Surfing Federation

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Russia explores the world-class surf spots of Kuril Islands - SurferToday

Prince Harry reunited with his uncle, Prince Andrew, for the first time since speaking about his alleged sex offenses in March 2020.

Both Harry and Andrew walked behind Prince Philip's coffin ahead of his funeral service at St George's Chapel on Saturday.

The Duke of Sussex tried to distance himself from Andrew in secretly-recorded phone conversations with pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov, who he believed to be Greta Thunberg and her father during the calls.

The pair got Harry to open up about the royal family by impersonating the environmentalactivists.

When asked about the Duke of York, Harry said: "I have very little to say on that. But whatever he has done or hasn't done, is completely separate from me and my wife."

"We operate in a way of inclusivity and we are focusing on community. And so we are completely separate from the majority of my family," he added.

The original recording of the phone call was released alongside an animation of Harry on the YouTube channelVovan222prank, but was later deleted.

Recordings of two separate calls between Harry and the duo were obtained by The Sunand theDaily Mail at the time.

Andrew stepped back from royal duties in November 2019 after receiving major backlash for his BBC Newsnight interview, where he spoke about his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The royal was accused of taking part in Epstein's sex trafficking scheme during the early 2000s.

Virginia Roberts, who accused Epstein of recruiting her as his sex slave back in 2001, said he forced her to have sex with the prince at his New York mansion as well as in London and on his private island in the Virgin Islands.

"I implore the people in the UK to stand up beside me, to help me fight this fight, to not accept this as being OK," Roberts said during an appearance on BBC Panorama in December 2019.

"This is not some sordid sex story," she said. "This is a story of being trafficked. This is a story of abuse, and this is a story of your guys' royalty."

A palace spokesperson told Insider in 2019: "It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation."

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Prince Philip funeral: Prince Harry, Andrew have awkward reunion - Insider

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By Luz Lancheros, MWN

House of Gucci is Ridley Scotts film that tells the story of the heartbreak and murder of Mauricio Gucci, heir to one of the most important fashion houses in the industry. It stars Lady Gaga and Adam Driver.Here are some key takeaways from the feature film.

An ostentatious love story

Maurizio Gucci married Patrizia Reggiani in 1972, after seeing her at a party in the late 1960s. She did not come from a wealthy family, as he did, but she gradually inserted herself into his social class thanks to money, beauty and style. The two married despite the opposition of the Gucci family.They were both 24 years old and after Alessandra was born, Rodolfo bought them an 840 m2 penthouse in the Olympic Tower in New York. They had houses in Acapulco, Connecticut and several private islands. Patrizia spent more than $10k on orchids alone and the couple was famous for their one-color theme parties. Patrizia became known as Lady Gucci and also began to work for the brand.

The break

According to Patrizia, when Rodolfo Gucci died in 1983, Maurizio, who started working for the brand when he was 15 and inherited 50 percent of the company, began to act irresponsibly and stopped listening to her. Two years later, he told her he was going on a business trip to Florence and never returned. The reason? He started a relationship with another younger woman and it was from her family doctor that she learned he would not be coming back. But she wasnt willing to lose her status.

Guccis problems

One of Patrizias big reasons for killing her ex-husband was the way he managed the brand: Maurizio planned to return it to its artisanal luxury status that was lost by licensing it in mass products. He also conspired against his uncle Aldo and his cousins to take another half of the shares. He succeeded with the Arab finance company Investcorp, but he was not a good manager and in 1993 he sold the entire company to the Arab finance company. Although he hired Tom Ford, who restored the brands prestige and revenues, he did not live to see the fruits of that decision.

Patrizia was angry because the brand no longer belonged to the family and because in 1992 she had a brain tumor and Maurizio did not support her. The year before they had a legal battle in which she kept her daughters and started to receive a million euros per year. But what hurt her was the sale of a brand that she helped to build.

The crime

Maurizio was murdered on March 27, 1995, with three shots in the back. His mistress, Paola Franchi, was evicted that same day by Patrizia, who also made the decision for the murder because she wanted to remarry. Through the psychic Pina Auriemma, she contacted Benedetto Ceraulo, Orazio Cicala and Ivano Savioni as the executioners. Maurizio had many enemies, including members of his family, and everything became clear when one of the executioners boasted about the crime to the wrong person. In 1997 the police arrested Patrizia, who simply stated that she was being held for the murder of her husband and refused to leave without her jewelry and fur coat.

The Gucci family did not mourn much for the heir. And Patrizia was sentenced in 1998. She spent 18 years in San Victor prison (out of a 26-year sentence), where she was able to keep a pet, a ferret, and take care of her plants. She turned down her first parole offer in 2011 because it required her to have a job and only said, I never worked in my life and I have no intention of starting now. By 2014, she worked at the jewelry firm Bozart and oversaw the design of a line of handbags. She regained freedom in 2016 despite an appeal from her daughters, who are not speaking to Patrizia, but they must now pay her 1 million euros a year, plus another 18 million euros for each year she was in prison. Patrizia now lives with her pets and is a manager of her estate.

The movieIt is based on the book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Grey Forden. Although the brand has avoided talking about the scandal for years, it has collaborated in the costume part of the feature film. It will be available on Nov. 24 this year. In this regard, Patrizia Reggiani only stated that she would have liked Lady Gaga to meet her to work on the character.

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Whos who in House of Gucci, the new crime and fashion saga - Metro US

"Pools have definitely been a tremendous driver," said Jason Friedman. (Representational)

Space is the No. 1 priority for real estate hunters in the pandemic era at every level of the market. But for the rich, that means far more than just another bedroom.

Championship-sized tennis courts (not necessarily for playing tennis), a penthouse bedroom that doubles as a garden and Instagram-worthy wine cellars are just a few of the features real estate agents say the well-heeled are craving.

And even as the vaccine rollout gathers pace, experts aren't expecting the desire at the top end of the market for a more resort-like experience to ebb anytime soon.

"Covid has made people reassess the life they want to lead," said Michelle Ciesielski, head of residential research at Knight Frank Australia. "This isn't going away."

Here's a rundown of what's hot right now in the high-end world:

Swimming Pools

Sipping a martini by the pool has always been a mark of the good life. And during the pandemic, its allure has only increased, at least for those who are wealthy enough to afford a swimming pool in their backyard.

From 2015 through to the first three months of 2020 (before everyone knew what Covid-19 meant), about 26% of homes sold each quarter in Greenwich, Connecticut - one of the richest places in the U.S. - had a pool. In the last 12 months, that's jumped to an average of 35% of all sales in a quarter, according to Jonathan Miller, president of appraisal firm Miller Samuel Inc.

"Pools have definitely been a tremendous driver," said Jason Friedman, who is with Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty and specializes in the gilded north shore of Long Island, New York. People who escaped to the area from the city to rent earlier in the pandemic may now be buying, and private amenities, including of the aquatic sort, are pull factors, he said.

Tent-Ready Tennis CourtsIn sunny Australia, where pools have long been essential for the rich, it's championship-sized tennis courts that are now attracting buyers.

In 2020, super-prime properties with tennis courts sold on average for 22% more than their court-less peers, according to Knight Frank research.

All that demand is not necessarily being driven by a desire to stay fit or a passion for the sport, though.

"It's a great space for kids to play and to put a marquee in the future for 21st and 40th birthdays," said Adam Ross, who specializes in Sydney luxury sales for Knight Frank. "It's a future-proof investment."

'Indoor-Outdoor' RoomsIt's not only the actual outdoors that have become more important for wealthy house hunters.

Anna Czarnowska of Morpheus London, a high-end residential and hospitality design firm, says demand is rising for indoor spaces that have an outdoorsy vibe.

The most common request during lockdown was for multifunctional space and "biophilic designs" - an approach that attempts to incorporate nature into the built environment, according to Czarnowska. Her team used such principles when building a garden room for a penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront in London. They see the trend continuing beyond the pandemic.

"Even if we are going to go back to normal, I think the fear of these things happening again will remain with us for a long time," Czarnowska said. "So everybody would like to have a home that is multifunctional."

Rickesh Patel, design director at Morpheus, says he is also continuing to see clients ask for such "indoor-outdoor" spaces, particularly in London where garden space comes at a premium. High-end buyers, he says, have been willing to make sacrifices for that outdoorsy vibe. One client who wanted to maximize light coming in from the outside was willing to lose around 150,000 pounds ($206,600) worth of square footage to make space for a big light shaft, Patel said.

All the ToysWith so much more time at home, what's inside has grown in importance. At the practical level, that means his-and-her studies (not just sinks) are increasingly in demand, says Harri Williams-Jones, a super-prime residential development consultant for Savills London.

It doesn't stop there. Wealthy shoppers are also seeking amenities such as gaming facilities in cinema rooms for teenagers and private spas.

"The pandemic has just catalyzed the trends that were already emerging ," said Williams-Jones. "It's not necessarily an absolute paradigm shift, but it's just put more of a focus on people's lifestyles."

And don't forget wine. Far from being something you tuck away in the cupboard, it's now a chance to make an architectural statement with a glamorous room.

Multi-Generational LivingFor the ultra-wealthy, having their near and dear close is now worth paying extra for. That means houses big enough to hold parents, grandparents and children - as well as staff quarters - in addition to all the other luxury toys and outdoor space.

Downton Abbey-like country houses - many of which have sat on the market for years - are suddenly a lot more popular. Last year, for instance, wealthy buyers triggered a 1,900% sales surge in British country estates, which have more than enough room for all sides of the family.

"Covid was really the catalyst for it, an excuse to gather together the whole big extended family and go somewhere amazing," said David Forbes, chairman of the Savills Private Office.

Island ParadiseAt the start of the pandemic, there was talk of a boom in Caribbean private islands where the ultra rich could sit out Covid by the beach.

A similar trend is now playing out among the merely wealthy. In Hong Kong, top-end agents report that buyers who previously wouldn't have dreamed of looking far from Central, the main business district, are starting to hunt for tranquility.

Will Robertson, executive director of Nest Property, says that particularly for those renting, the more serene areas in the city - such as Clearwater Bay or Sai Kung in the New Territories - are growing in appeal.

As well as being one of the few areas in Hong Kong where you can buy a freestanding home rather than an apartment, it feels a world away from the busy city center.

"The accessibility of beaches and hikes often takes greater significance with residents increasingly more concerned about their health and living environment," Robertson said. "These areas can offer lower-density living."

The other benefit is the price. In the past two months, the most expensive house sold in the Mid-Levels neighborhood went for HK$136,000 ($17,500) per square foot, while the highest price recorded in the New Territories was just HK$39,000 per square foot, according to data provided by Nest Property.

--With assistance from Oshrat Carmiel.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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The Hottest Features The Rich Are Craving For Their Next Home - NDTV

What is the United States best island to visit? There are plenty of options, from the Florida Keys to Catalina Island in California, from Long Island to the islands that make up the state of Hawaii.

Fodors, a popular travel guide, set out to discover some lesser-known islands that could be the spot for your next getaway.

One Georgia island made the Top 10 list. That honor went to Jekyll Island.

There are five distinct beaches on the island to check out. On Driftwood Beach, explorers will encounter ancient fallen trees which create a scenic, romantic backdrop, the articles author, Molly OBrien, noted. Visitors craving an active adventure can explore miles of bike paths, kayaking and paddleboarding tours, playgrounds, or the Summer Waves Waterpark.

OBrien pointed out the Jekyll Island Club Resort and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center as reasons to visit, too.

Here are some more photos from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island & the Golden Isles.

In 1733, General James Oglethorpe named Jekyll Island in honor of Sir Joseph Jekyll, his friend and financier from England, Jekyll Islands website notes. In the late 1800s, Jekyll Island became an exclusive hunting club for families with names like Rockefeller, Morgan, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer and Baker. The once private retreat is now part of The Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District, one of the largest preservation projects in the southeast.

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More than 70 years ago, the state established the island as a state park. While there are private homes on the island, the homeowners own the building, but they dont own the land. The land is leased from the state of Georgia. The leases are long-term, with current leases expiring between 2049 and 2088.

Jekyll Island Club Resort (Jekyll Island Club Resort)

Over the last few years, several new properties have joined the historic offerings on the island. The Westin Jekyll Island and Jekyll Ocean Club have opened in the last several years.

The island offers four golf courses, a 250-acre historic landmark district and 10 miles of beaches.

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Fodors names Georgia island among nations best to visit - WSB Atlanta

FAMILIES who want a bit of space for their next holiday don't have to splash the cash for a private island, surprisingly.

Head across to Europe and you can find some bargains for just 12 each, per night - here are the best places to book for your next holiday with friends and family members.

7

Located off the coast of Vis island, the villa has modern bathrooms and two bedrooms, as well as amazing views of the sea.

An outdoor terrace area has almost panoramic views of the ocean.

There is nothing else on the island, which is accessible by private boat or transfer.

Costing around 640 per night, it means you could pay just 106 a night each if staying with five people.

7

Saponohoma Greek Island Villa is located on the Greek Island of Ios - just next door to Santorini.

On the island is a traditional blue and white vila, with room for 13 people.

There is also a housekeeper and cook to assist you when staying, with fresh coffee and fruits for breakfast.

It costs 450 (382) per person for a week, working out to 54 each.

7

Located near Venice in Italy, the 50 acre island is called Valle Falconera, and is home to a 6-bedroom pink farmhouse.

The Airbnb propertyis accessible by boat which goes across the lagoon surrounding the land.

While rustic, the rooms can welcome up to 16 guests at a time, but you can rent each of the private rooms separately as well.

It costs 516 per night - but if you can find 15 friends, will set you back just 32 each a night.

7

A tiny laakeside chalet is a more modest island stay, surrounde dby water and trees.

Inside is just a bedrom and shower, so don't expect much luxury, but is perfect to get away from everyone for a quiet trip.

There is WiFi, however, as well as a Finnish hot tub and the house caretaker will also organise breakfast include croissants and juice in the mornings.

It is ideal for couples, and will cost you 81 each per night.

7

Head to Spain and you can rent an entire island with a castle.

Located near Madrid, the castle and glamping tents can welcome up to 38 people.

Inside the castle are four bedrooms, sleeping eight, with five luxury bell tents outside for six people, and starts from 428 per night.

Perfect for events or large holidays, there are beaches with water sports activities to keep everyone entertained, while not seeing another soul during the stay.

7

An hour from Oslo is Vestery, where you will find a tiny cabin, which sleeps up to eight people.

Don't expect luxury here either - there is no running water and electricity is unreliable but you can get free drinking water at the grocery store.

However anyone who wants to be closer to nature can cook over the bonfire and do a food shop using the boat.

If you can find seven mates who don't mind bunking on the floor, it will cost just 190 a night, or 23 each.

7

Scotland's many islands are uninhabited, but Isle of Skye has a former staff house open to visitors.

The cottage sleeps up to eight people with four bedrooms.

You won't see anyone else, apart from some wild animals, but it is easy to get to by boat and you can cross the shore for a visit to the nearby pub.

Stays start from around 550 per night, so get five friends and you can pay 91 each a night.

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If money isn't the problem, Sun Online Travel has also previously rounded up theluxury private islands you can buy.

A private island in the Bahamas is also up for sale, with six miles of private beach.

Earlier this year, we also reported on what's reportedly theworld's most expensive resort.

See more here:

The private islands you can rent in France, Spain and Greece from just 12pp a night... - The Sun