Page 5 - Travel Advisors of Los Gatos – Fall 2016

N ISLAND GETAWAYS
By
Dorothy Crouch
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Velassaru Maldives
&Beyond Mnemba Island
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Velassaru Maldives
A2016
island’s colonial influences, from Omani to British occupation, and are available as single rooms, cottages or two-floor homes that boast solar-power- sourced hot water and mosquito nets. Though Kinasi Lodge’s staff is trained every year by a British chef, its cuisine reflects European, African and Asian styles, and affords vegetarian and kosher options upon request. The property’s Isis Spa is managed
by trained Thai therapists and includes a substantial menu that offers massages, aromatherapy, facials, manicures, pedicures and the Pharaoh’s bath, an herbal salt bath that is recommended for couples.
MORE SECLUSION IN MNEMBA
If tranquil Mafia Island is still not secluded enough, Mnemba Island, located off the coast of Unguja within the Tanzanian Zanzibar Archipelago, is an excellent option. Sitting nearly 130 miles from Mafia Island, Mnemba Island is privately owned, allowing only guests and staff of the luxurious &Beyond resort to travel to the area.
On the property, guests reside in bandas, luxuriously appointed, thatched-roof, airy bungalows. En-suite massage services are also available upon request and performed at the front of the banda, as the sound of the ocean provides a calming soundtrack and the light breeze complements this calming indulgence.
The waters surrounding Mnemba Island are protected through &Beyond’s Oceans Without Borders conservation program that works with the local fishing industry to ensure a sustainable future for marine life. Diving, snorkeling and kayaking excursions are extraordinary when enjoyed on Mnemba Island, as it is surrounded by the Mnemba
atoll, known as Zanzibar’s only protected nesting site for endangered green sea turtles, and serves as a point of whale migration that is closely monitored. Mnemba Island creates luxurious vacation experiences, while educating visitors and working with locals. Dinner is served at intimate lantern-lit tables set on the beach, overlooking the dingy-dotted water at sunset.
LIVING LUXE IN THE MALDIVES
Located in the Indian Ocean, the Republic of the Maldives is South Asia’s most exclusive destination, comprising 1,190 islands, of which only 187 are inhabited. The archipelago is a system of islands and atolls that sits above an underwater mountain chain.
While the capital city, Malé, is a bustling center of commerce and government in the Maldives, the
On the islands of the Indian Ocean, travelers discover that the satisfaction of simple pleasures is a luxury often overlooked.
other inhabited islands afford an escape to visitors who seek an extraordinary getaway from ordinary life. Travelers, for whom no indulgence is too great, should stay at Velassaru Maldives. Easily accessible via speedboat, the private-island resort is located only 25 minutes from Malé airport.
From Deluxe Bungalows to Water Suites – a private luxury overwater paradise with 24-hour butler service and an infinity pool – every option exceeds expectations. The interior of guest suites resembles
a cosmopolitan hotel, similar to those found in chic metropolises. Upon stepping outside, instead of the hustle of a city street, guests are greeted with white sand, bright sunshine and crystal-clear water that shimmers in hues of blue. Dining options include dishes to suit every palate, including pan-Indian Ocean dinner cuisine and simple lunch choices,
such as pizza and tapas. Despite its private, remote atmosphere, Velassaru provides an extensive
menu of activities. Guests can choose to indulge
in spa treatments or beach yoga, and embark
upon adventures including a private escape to a neighboring island, dolphin feeding, sunset cruise, Malé tour, and Bio Quest or Bio Photo Adventure – snorkeling experiences that provide exploration
and education with the property’s resident marine biologist.
On the islands of the Indian Ocean, travelers discover that the satisfaction of simple pleasures is a luxury often overlooked. Memories of watching the sun set while sitting in the sand and a newfound appreciation for the vulnerability of wildlife serve as the most satisfying souvenirs – much more fulfilling than purchasing another trinket.
56 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030 • (408) 354-6531 • (800) 446-8644 • FAX: (408) 354-3871
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