4BR residence in the Maldives for after Christmas

Gili Lankanfushi is my favorite sand-between-your-toes resort in the Maldives, an easy speedboat ride from the international airport in Male (so you can arrive at any hour). On boarding their boat, you're handed a bag in which to store you shoes ... and the logo on the bag says, "No News, No Shoes." Truly a place to relax and enjoy the crystalline waters of the Maldives.

Their 4BR Private Residence has just become available for December 27 - January 5. If you've been meaning to make plans for a family vacation but haven't gotten around to it yet, you will love Gili Lankanfushi. Perfect for families, your children will enjoy the waterslide while you can all enjoy at this elegant yet casual resort.

This availability won't last, so contact Team Ourisman right away if you'd like to grab this... 

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Four Seasons Nevis | Caribbean beach resort

I'm just back from a brief stay at Four Seasons Nevis where I enjoyed four days in the sun. The trip from California to Nevis was quite a journey: a flight to Miami (where we overnighted at the Four Seasons Miami), a flight to St. Kitts (where Four Seasons representatives whisked away our bags which were already in our room when we arrived), and finally a 45 minute cruise to Nevis. The slow approach by boat was the ideal way to arrive, as we cruised into the resort's dock and saw the cloud-topped [dormant] volcano at the center of the island.

What to expect once you arrive?

Piney Beach

one of three resort pools (one of which is for adults only)

guest rooms are in two-story buildings

Nevisian architectural motifs create a sense of location

Four Seasons Nevis is well worth consideration by vacationers who can fly non-stop to St. Kitts from Miami (daily flights), New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, and London. Rooms are large and comfortable with patios on the ground floor and balconies on the second floor - although screen doors would be a welcome addition! Each room has a great Four Seasons bathroom equipped with a large dual vanity, separate soaking tub and step-in shower, and W.C. There is a golf course on property as well as tennis courts, water sports, a spa, and three restaurants. Nevis is not the destination if you want nightlife off-property, but if what you want is a quiet place to enjoy a romantic getaway - or a safe and fun family vacation - Four Seasons Nevis is a great choice.

Four Seasons Preferred Partner guests receive:

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
  
• Spa, tennis, or golf credit of USD100 once during stay (not applicable to pro shop purchases)
  
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
  
• Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings

Four Seasons Nevis (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay | what to do

Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, less than an hour's drive south of downtown San Francisco (and just 23 miles from SFO), is on the outskirts of a small, picturesque town overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The only oceanfront resort in the San Francisco Bay area, there is lots to do — a sandy beach for kids to play on, miles of coastline for couples to walk along, 36 holes of golf, horseback riding on the beach, a great spa, tennis, wine tasting, and great food.

Half Moon Bay is a great destination for a romantic weekend anytime of the year - or for a summer family vacation. I was intrigued by the Signature Drive that the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay suggests for guests. You can spend a few hours taking the drive, or make an entire day out of it. The tour is replete with suggestions for lunch and dinner along the way. Pictured on the map above, the tour winds through five distinct regions:

1. Historic Main Street. Explore the historic downtown — stroll and shop for art, crafts, jewelry, antiques and more.

2. Pumpkin. Drive past farms, fruit stands, and visit the Annual Art & Pumpkin Festival held every October.

3. California Redwood. Hiking trails, biking, horseback riding, and dining.

4. Santa Cruz Mountains. More than 70 wineries to visit as well as dining.

5. Coastal. Walk miles of sandy beach or the bluff-top trail that hugs the coast.

Coastal View rooms at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay are definitely worth the upgrade — request a south-facing room for the more spectacular view — and the Fire Pit rooms are very popular. Located on the ground level, they feature a patio with a gas fireplace and adirondack chairs overlooking the coast. Ask your travel consultant about various vacation packages as well. As a Virtuoso guest, you will enjoy complimentary amenities such as free breakfast daily, room upgrades, and a spa credit.

If you want a beach vacation with warm ocean water and hot summer days, there are better choices. Mark Twain's famous comment — the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco — may be an exaggeration, but it's true enough. I love Northern California's temperate year-round climate, but there are better choices for "a week at the beach."


Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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