Month: May 2016

Planning a visit to Cabo in Mexico typically means one thing – heading to the beach. However, you would be missing out on a great deal of natural beauty if you only gazed out from your villa to the glorious white sands. Of course, if you have headed to this part of the Baja Peninsula strictly to re-charge and relax, then sitting on the beach in Cabo, by your private pool patio, or even in the shade of a garden and gazing at the sea would do the trick. Before you limit yourself, though, consider how much you might see and do during a leisurely week in this region.

Start at Sunrise

Beaches are the order of the day, but they don’t have to comprise the entire day. While sunbathing, snorkeling and diving are must do activities. Think about the desert that surrounds the city too.

As one expert has suggested, the “best way to see Cabo’s barren, cacti-speckled landscape is from the back of a horse” and do so early in the morning to take in the serenity of the landscape and the gorgeous sunrise. There are also lengthier options for safaris into the Baja landscape on the back of camels.

If you do want to stay close to the shore, why not consider a morning kayak trip? There are options for guided tours that might take you from Tortuga Bay and Santa Maria Bay to the Sea of Cortez. Alternately, you might opt for some hiking in the Tortuga Bay area and then a kayak trip towards the stunning Chileno Beach. Paddle boarding treks at sunrise are also available, and might be the most picturesque way to greet the sunrise on one of your mornings.

Midday

In the heat of the day, you may want to head beneath the waves for snorkeling or diving. You can do so from many different points, but if you are looking for peace and relaxation in the beautiful Cabo San Lucas setting, take a water taxi from Cabo down to Land’s End. There, you find Lover’s Beach that is framed by the glorious rocks, including the famous Arch, and excellent snorkeling nearby. Alternately, take a glass bottom boat ride to the area, and hop off for a picnic or some snorkeling.

If you are in Cabo during the winter and early spring, don’t overlook a chance to do some whale watching from points on shore or via a private boat.

If you want to avoid midday heat, this could be the perfect time for a bit of spa treatment or pampering. Clients of Isle Blue are able to book private spa sessions or can get in touch with the concierge to book time at the local resorts and spa retreats. Everything from herbal infusions to sun-baked stone massages are available.

Evenings

Though you will find an abundance of things to do in Cabo San Lucas or the Corridor, don’t forget the joys of San Jose Del Cabo. Here the pace slows and the more authentic Mexican culture appears. You can stroll the galleries and shops of Alvara Obregon St, dine in some truly authentic Mexican restaurants (such as Tequila Restaurant or La Panga Antigua Restaurant) and do some evening people watching.

Sunset sails are another treat, and many high-end options include luxury meals to enjoy as you past The Arch and other gorgeous spots. You may also want to get in touch with Campanmento Tortuguero Don Manuel Orantes, which protects the olive ridley sea turtles and helps hatchlings make their way to the waters of the San Jose Del Cabo estuary. A meal at the farm-to-table restaurant at Flora’s Farm nearby could be a way to soak up the Cabo surroundings, and put a finishing touch on a day spent in leisure by the sea.

As a guest of Isle Blue, you have an abundance of services and amenities in your Cabo villa, but don’t miss these lovely activities that allow you to enjoy the best Cabo has to offer without missing a lot of time by the pool, ocean or shady garden.

Wines known as being wines of Tuscany are made from grapes cultivated along the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy. That means that the names of these wines are some of the most well known throughout the world, and include Chianti, Brunello (technically Brunello di Montalcino) and Montepulciano (technically called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano).

Interestingly enough, all three of these wines are crafted from the Sangiovese grapes, which have been grown in Tuscany for so long that they date to the Estruscan era. The vines of most vineyards are so old that the growers have actually hybridized and cloned them to such an extent that some towns and provinces now have their own, unique forms of Sangiovese grapes.

This is why travelers can so easily become confused. For example, you may have booked a stay in an Isle Blue villa in Tuscany, arranged for a car or driver, and planned a vineyard tour. You may visit one location and hear about a “brunello” in a glass of Montalcino or a “prugnolo” in a bottle of Montepulciano. Fear not, however, as both are actually taken from the famous Sangiovese and will still have the distinct aroma and flavor.

What are the differences between the wines if they are all made of similar grapes? Geographically, the vines are grown in different areas. They even take their direct names from the villages near which the varieties are grown. As the simplest example, the Brunello di Montalcino wines are made from a Sangiovese variety that originates near the village of Montalcino.

The chianti are towards the north, while the other varieties are typically towards the south. Additionally, the altitudes are different between the vines. Montepulciano and Montalcino vines are usually at lower and warmer spots while the chianti vines are higher and cooler.

Generally, the chianti wines are aged for shorter periods than the other varieties. For example, some chiantis are bottled and sold within two years, while a Montalcino might have to age for five before it is sold. However, aging also changes based on the growing season.

Chianti is produced in the highest quantities, with estimates putting this variety at over eight million cases annually.

A wonderful way to best understand the three Tuscan wines is to plan a tour of the vineyards while on a holiday in the region. Stretching from Florence to Siena, this “wine route” is dotted with large and small establishments, and one thing any traveler should note is that more and more growers are going organic, greener, and using old-fashioned methods to reintroduce the better flavors and results.

Some of the best places to pay a visit, do a tasting and learn about the different varieties include:

Val delle Corti in the Chianti region

Villa Pomona at Castellina in the Chianti region

Fontodi is a larger winery also in the Chianti area, and set beneath the village of Panzano it is an organic farm that uses terracotta rather than wooden barrels

Le Boncie is in the San Felice area and offers chianti wines made in smaller batches

Salcheto is a self-sufficient winery that is located above the town of Montelpuciano and described as one of the best in the region

Biondi Santi – Tenuta il Greppo is in the Montalcino area and one of the most famous for its Brunello

Castiglion del Bosco is within the Orcia valle, a UNESCO World HeritageSite and known for its Brunello

Naturally, one of the best ways to educate your palate to the differences between Brunello, Chianti and Montepulciano is to head right to the source. A visit to Tuscany is the ideal time to make a tour of the best vineyards, sampling their latest bottles, and even enjoying a meal in some of the many restaurants that serve the vintages.

If a holiday to Ibiza is about one thing, it is usually the concerts and parties planned for the high season. This year, the calendar is packed with an exciting array of traditional and new events, and these each add an entirely different spin to your Ibiza getaway plans.

Keep in mind that clients of Isle Blue are going to enjoy the best of all worlds – a private and quiet place to relax in elegance and luxurious style and easy access to the hottest venues and locales. As you make plans, also keep in mind that our concierge is here to help you book activities, including getting your tickets in advance, enabling you to skip lines and gain access to parties or shows without any lines or waiting.

The Big Events

Since the month of May is considered the “opening” season, you’ll find that this is an incredibly vibrant and busy time with a lot of big parties celebrating the kickoff of a new season. Clubs like Ocean Beach, Pacha Ibiza, Space and Sankeys offer some of the first big events. Boat Party gets started a week later than the rest, and by the third week of the month, Amnesia is also ready to get the season started. Ushuaia is one of the last to get going towards the middle of the month, and by May 16th, all of the big names have gotten into full swing with events seven days a week.

Late May sees the last of the opening parties with Es Paradis, DC10, the Hard Rock Hotel, Dalt Vila Battlements, Space, Privilege and Destino Ibiza hosting their first events. The Hard Rock Hotel hosts the IMS International Music Summit on the 26th.

After that, the concert schedule sees events ongoing throughout the summer, and only slowing down towards the end of August. All of the major venues have announced their lineups.

The Larger Venues

Sankeys has booked Applebum for a residency during the summer, and the rest of the season focuses on a hip-hop theme with acts like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Yoda, Coolio and the Sugarhill Gang all making events.

Ushuaia locked in Kygo for three dates, and Space has secured Carl Cox for the season to perform his “Final Chapter” series. Packed with DJs, there are also appearances from debut artists Ben Pearce, Danny Howells, Mistress Barbara, Drumcomplex & Roel Salemink, Popof , and Julian Jeweil booked too.

Naturally, the lineup at Pacha is of interest to all, and the My House Party of Martin Solvei has already booked an array of DJ acts with heavy European roots, including Mark Ronson, Tchami, Boys Noize, and The Avener among many others.

The Ibiza Rocks Hotel really took the prize for its 2015 season, and the 2016 series seems to be lining up the same ideal blend of rock, hip hop and pop. Shelter, Wilkinson, Sigma, Jack Garratt and LCD Soundsystem are some of the early acts. Then at peak season DJ EZ, Jess Glynne, Tinie Tempha, Kaiser Chefs, David Rodigan, Faithless, and Stormzy will perform in July and August.

There is so much to take in during any season in Ibiza, and it can be easy to miss the hottest shows. Speak with your Isle Blue concierge about booking tickets and even arranging for any transportation to venues. Your total relaxation and enjoyment of the finest amenities can include partying like only Ibiza knows how to party. Closing parties begin in late summer, mid to late August, and this too could be a great way to enjoy some of the liveliest parties and concerts during the 2016 Ibiza season.

To understand the lure of Mustique is simple – it is one of the last of the truly private and exclusive places in the Caribbean. As part of the Grenadines, it is relatively easy to reach, but is an entirely private locale that remains a preferred getaway for the “jet set”. Long a retreat for the famous, royal and supremely successful, it is the ideal spot for those who appreciate pristine beauty, peace, and luxury.

Owned by homeowners who comprise the Mustique Company, the island’s gorgeous natural charms remain intact, and yet all of the comforts and amenities one might need are readily available. Beach bars, dining rooms, activities of all kinds, and even “movie nights” beneath the stars are part of a visit to Mustique, but so too is an eco-friendly array of properties that are available to those discerning travelers who want to enjoy a lot of personal space.

A wonderful menu of villas as well as two small and discreet hotels allow travelers to choose their ideal setting, and then begin enjoying the many activities available on this gorgeous, private paradise.

A Bit About Mustique

To understand why it is so appealing, it is good to take a look back in time. The island was purchased outright by Lord Glenconner, Colin Tennant more than half a century ago. At that time, it was an undeveloped place, though there was a defunct sugar mill and plantation.

Eventually, small and conscientiously designed properties appeared, with the first being the home of an English royal. Over time, the exquisite privacy afforded to travelers welcomed to the island ensured that it remained as idyllic and beautiful as possible, even as world-famous actors, musicians, and socialites discovered it.

With a large number of the villas designed by Oliver Messel, the island is now a luxurious retreat for those who appreciate the absence of “resort-like” structures and settings (no buildings are taller than any trees). Instead, travelers can easily explore the three and a half square miles of the island, discovering the nine different beaches, the scattering of shops, the three restaurants, and the endless scenery.

Visiting Mustique

Reaching Mustique is part of the appeal. Travelers can depart from St. Lucia or Barbados and arrive on the island’s small, private air strip in less than an hour. Regular chartered flights make this easy, and a view from the Twin Otter aircraft provides an unprecedented experience of the Grenadines in general.

Upon arrival, arrange for your transportation of choice and head directly to the Cotton House to get oriented or straight to your Mustique villa. You can find tiny properties with private gardens and plunge pools or larger villas with room for a family and surrounded by many activities to enjoy.

Beaches, watersports, tennis and horseback riding, children’s activities, and the spa and fitness options ensure you have plenty to keep you active, or entirely relaxed, throughout a stay. Though there are nine beaches spread out over the 1400 acres of the island, Macaroni Beach is considered the most famous and popular. Those who wish for privacy can choose from Atlantic or Caribbean oriented spots, and even arrange for picnics at several of them.

Traveling the island is simple thanks to the large number of eco-friendly, and wildlife friendly, golf carts that can traverse the different paths. Walking and horseback riding paths are also a common and easy way to explore the island, and bicycles are also readily available.

The Lure of Mustique is not a mystery – it is a private paradise that has been protected and preserved to the greatest extent imaginable. It is a combination of Robinson Crusoe and the most luxurious getaway imaginable, making any stay otherworldly and unforgettable.