islands | We go where the crowds don't.

SOMETHING NEW SOMETHING BLUE

david jules — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:39:54 +0000

I know, it’s winter and it’s cold but can I still entice you with a stripe of Mediterranean blue and this amazing, new hotel in Greece….? We were here when it just opened and had the opportunity to spend some time here to shoot and experience this new Aman hotel. After two years of building, Amanzo’e opened in August 2012 on a huge plot of land along the eastern coast of the Peloponnese. It is near the coastal town of Porto Heli and only a boat ride away from the jet set islands of Spetses and Hydra. When in 2006 Adrian Zecha was taken to this spot, the hilltop of Aghios Panteleimonas, he said, “This is an Aman site.” It took Aman Resorts and their partner/investor several years to buy more than 50 plots of land from different owners needed to make Amanzo’e possible. Not only pieces of farmland on the hillside but also a plot of land near the sea, in the bay of Korakia, where the Aman Beach Club is situated.

It’s an ambitious project, costing over 100 million euro, with 38 guest pavilions and a dozen of villas that will be sold in the near future. Once again, Aman Resorts turned to Ed Tuttle, the renowned American architect, who has already designed several other Aman Resorts. Tuttle studied the site for two years and came up with a very striking and rather dramatic concept. A resort with the looks of an ancient Greek village, with a grandiose temple-like décor, high ceilings with giant pillars, colonnades and lots of marble and local stone. All this interpreted in a contemporary, clean style with modern furniture and accents. It’s like a smaller, 21st century version of the Acropolis. All the rooms have a courtyard entrance and a large living area opening onto a secluded private pool and pergola-shaded terrace. Glass doors slide away into recesses for comfortable indoor-outdoor living and the contemporary, custom-built furniture is locally made. The six-meter long cool pool is made of dark green marble and there is enough space on the terrace to throw a small garden party.

A 20-minutes drive along winding roads you will find Korakia Bay where a handful of elegant yachts and sailboats are bobbing in a tranquil sea. It’s here that you will the beach club of Amanzo’e. The eye-catcher in this bay is without a doubt the Wally One powerboat, the only prototype in the world. This 740 hp (with a 90km/h topspeed) is a dream come true for every boat lover in search of sophisticated sailing. You can charter it for the day and make boat trips to Spetses and Hydra, explore the bays and secluded beaches along the coast or even take a romantic sunset cruise.Lots of glamorous yachts anchor in the Korakia bay so that guests can come and eat lunch next to the huge swimming pool. Freshly grilled octopus, locally caught shrimps from the nearby fishing village of Kilada, heavenly grilled bread topped with local herbs…The Amanzo’e menu lists all the local producers by name and where they are located. This local food approach, quite new for the Aman Resorts group, is thanks to executive chef Rick Gonzalez and his Greek sous-chef Ilias Doulamis. “We have worked very hard to present a menu with very local products,” explains chef Gonzalez. “For months we looked for producers close to the hotel who can supply us with the best products. We believe that the local community and small businesses and farmers should also benefit from a big project like Amanzo’e.” To show what they mean, Gonzalez and Doulamis take us to the farm of Pascale, who is in charge of supplying Amanzo’e with the best eggs you have ever tasted. Pascale has a farm of 400 chickens in the hamlet of Arki. He gets the special seeds for his grass from New Zealand. “Only the best for my chickens!” says Pascale who lived for more than 18 years in New York but came back to Greece because he missed the sun. Now he sells eggs, lots of eggs to Amanzo’e where Gonzalez and Doulamis turn them into the most fantastic breakfasts, served with local greens and beans. When Pascale has too many eggs, he makes pasta. “We should create some new dishes together,” he suggests to the two Amanzo’e chefs. “Why not? Come over to our kitchen and let’s see what we can make together!” says chef Doulamis. After the chicken farm, the two chefs take us to their fish supplier in Kilada and to Ermionis, the beekeeper next-door to the resort. All these small producers seem quite happy with their new client. It is encouraging to see that the smile of Pascale, the charismatic egg supplier, is as wide as the smile on the face of the well-heeled, foreign guest of Amanzo’e when he is having his 100% Greek and perfectly poached egg for breakfast. They might live totally different lives, but it’s here under the Greek sun that they are both happy and content.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Athens, it is a 2,5 hour drive to the area around Amanzo’e. The road until Corinthia is a fast and newly built tollway. The drive from Corinthia to Porto Heli is beautiful, passing through coastal villages and the interior of the region. Do not be afraid to drive in this part of Greece. It is only in big cities that you may encounter more southern-style driving habits. A weeklong car rental with Sunny Cars, all taxes and all extras included, starts from 142,00 EUR per week.(289,00 for a convertible)
Amanzo’e is open until January and reopens again in April 2013.
The best periods to visit Greece are in spring and autumn when the temperatures are lower and the Saronic islands are quieter.
Room rates at Amanzo’e start around 825 EUR per night for a double room, plus 7% tax.
Take advantage now from the Amanzo’e Spa Retreat offer ;
You stay for three nights or more at Amanzo’e from 1 October through 23 December 2012 and you will enjoy:
• Complimentary breakfast
• One 60-minute massage per person per day
• Daily 60-minute yoga or Pilates group class
• Daily group stretching class
• Olive harvest excursion
Rates starting at 825 euro a night for this package.

WWW.AMANRESORTS.COM
WWW.SUNNYCARS.COM

The post SOMETHING NEW SOMETHING BLUE first appeared on Remote Experiences.

VANUATU, THE HAPPY ISLANDS

david jules — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:24:19 +0000

Voted as the happiest place in the world, Vanuatu might be the Pacific’s best-kept secret. Here, the ocean is blue, the beaches are white and empty and the smiles of the Ni-Van are big and plentiful. The greatest plus of these 83 islands that make up Vanuatu is that it offers a mix of comfortable to even luxury lodging and an authentic and fascinating culture. After climbing active volcanoes or visiting custom villages it’s time for extreme relaxation in one of the luxury resorts. Classe Touriste’s favourite hide-away is Ratua Island near Santo. Don’t expect aircon rooms with flat screen and hot tubs. Instead you get traditional wooden Indonesian villas where the wind cools down the midday heat. The waters around the island are so pristine that the sardines and barracudas practically jump onto your plate. All this comes with plenty of smiling and kindness from the local Ni-Van staff. So if you are in need for a serious dose of happiness, Vanuatu is the place par excellence.

WWW.RATUA.COM

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IT’S ITALY, JIM BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT

david jules — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:07:51 +0000

Does the real Italian deal still exist? Si, si! You just need to pack your bags and head to the direction of unknown and Mafia reputated West-Sicily to board an aliscafo that will whisk you away from one charming island to another. Welcome to the Isole Egadi, three minuscule freckles in the sun-tanned face of the South of Italy. So far, only local Italians who fill up the island in July and August have discovered these three Mediterranean pearls. If you go during these months, weapon yourself against plenty of Speedo and mini-bikini on Piaggio parades and lots of dolce far niente. The other months during the year, this is a blissful haven of silence, space and good food. Favignana is the biggest and famous one. Although big is an overstatement if you know that the Egadi Islands barely have 4500 inhabitants of which the majority can apply for a free senior travel card. Our favourite is Marettimo with only a handful of cars and one quirky and overly charming hotel called Marettimo Residence. Fausto, the charismatic owner, greets his guest at the aliscafo while sitting in his golf cart, together with Yorki, the dog of the house. Hungry of absorbing all this Italian charm? Head to il Veliero, a Slow Food approved restaurant where you will eat the best seafood while sitting in the most kitchy décor, hand-painted shells included. Try the spaghetti rotti in zuppa di aragosta, or il cuscus di pesce alla trapanese, all prepared by two generations of the Bevilacqua family. Wash it all down with some Grillo Parlante, 100% made in West-Sicily and perfectly suitable for summery and very hot days.

WWW.MARETTIMORESIDENCE.COM

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STEALTH POWER

david jules — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:31:09 +0000

Board now the most stylish, ultra-slick boat in the world. Maybe you don’t have the cash to buy one of these handcrafted and tailor-made beauties, but for a modest 5700 euro a day, you can rent a Wally in the Med. We must admit, it’s a hard choice between all those streamlined beauties. First there is the 106′ ” WALLY B”, sailing around the Western Mediterranean like Sardinia, Cote d’Azur, Corsica and Southern Italy. This sailing beauty can host 6 guests and has a crew of 5 (skipper, deck hand, engineer, cook and stewardess). All this sleekness you can have for 59.000 euro per week. BYO, because all the prices mentioned do not include food, beverages, fuel and harbour expenses. Another option, slightly cheaper is the Wally 100’ “Dark Shadow”, also hosting 6 guests in 3 cabins and available for 50.000 a week. New since summer 2011 is the 94 “BARONG C”. An elegant, 29 meters long sailing and motorboat and available in the Western Mediterranean. Think of the blue waters around Sardinia, Corsica, Cote d’Azur, Baleares and Sicily for 40.000 euro a week with a crew of three. Although the Barong C is all about speed, this boat is modern and contemporary in every way. The interior design offers extraordinary height and plenty of deck hatches, portholes and windows for exceptional natural light and ventilation. A Last option is the Wally 80 “TANGO”, the lowest priced at 40.000 a week, accommodating 6 people and offering the services of 3 crew members. Recently the fashion house Hermès has acquired 10% of the Wally Group. This will only contribute to the pure and stylish look of those floating, minimalistic silhouettes.

WWW.HERMES.COM
WWW.WALLY.COM

UPDATE AUGUST 2012
We just tried out the prototype of the Wally One at Amanzoe Resort, Greece.
A new breed of sleek tender with 740HP, with a stunning topspeed of 90km/hour, or 50Kn.
You can charter the tender at 1600EUR a day. Or book a sunset (or should we call it sunjet) cruise at 500EUR.
Check out some recent photos on our Facebook page!

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FRENCH BLUE

david jules — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:58:00 +0000

Honeymoon cliches become reality in French Polynesia where detecting new shades of blue is an activity on itselve. Although there are enough cheaper and closer destinations where the sea is also a blueish and the lagoons are also undefinable transparent, Tahiti and its sister islands stay an ultimate honeymooners paradise. Avoid dissapointment and shattered dream by making the right decisions and staying in the right hotels and places. For experienced travelers there are only two options: the new Four Seasons in Bora Bora and yachting with Bora Bora Cruises or Humana Cruises. The Four Seasons is ultra-new, stylish, luxurious and an example of how hotels in French Polynesia all have to be. (Almost) perfect service, huge overwater villa’s with FREE (an alian word in French Polynesia) wifi everywhere, iPod docking stations, huge plasma’s, somptious beds and of course the Bora Bora lagoon right in front of your doorstep… Or set sail with Humana Cruises in the quite unknown Tuamotu’s. This is a divers paradise where the lagoon of Rangiora is a postcard perfect. Although Bora Bora is very commercial and not as perfect as one would think, it still stays on the toplist of many love birds and blue sea devotees. More fancier and slik is the T’a Moana yacht in Bora Bora. Upmarket cruising, fine dining and relaxing while French Polynesia passes by. But be willing to spend money or French Polynesia will leave a bitter aftertaste.

WWW.BORA-BORA-CRUISES.COM
WWW.FOURSEASONS.COM

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FAROE ISLANDS FORGOTTEN BY TIME

david jules — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:35:00 +0000

Although The Faroe Islands (belonging to Denmark but located between Norway and Iceland) are trying hard to be the new Reykjavik, it seems like time passed this archipelo, floating in the Atlantic, by. Eighteen green islands with only 50.000 inhabitants and the double amount of sheep. Theatrical and dramatic weather, changing every five minutes …from spooky haze surrounding the towerhigh cliffs to the sun fighting back through the clouds and spotlighting the cold sea or deep-greenish mountains. The water has the colour of Aquavit and the land is covered in green, soft and mostly wet carpet. People descent from Vikings and are friendly and very welcoming. It doesn’t take long before you get invited into their homes to escape the ambitious winds and showery rains. Stay in the classy and very cosy Foroyar Hotel with a view on Tórshavn, the tiny capital. If you want to experience the town itself, choose for the funky Tórshavn Hotel smack in the middle of town and with views over the harbour. Another magical place in the Faroe Island is the village Gjógv, one of the most pitoresque places around the islands. Lodging at Guesthouse Gjáargarður is simple but perfect if you want to stay in this area. The local babe Jóna Ólavsdóttir Joensen who works at the guesthouse could be the Faroese interpretation of Scarlett Johansson.. Real scandinavian beauty but with a undefying, mysterious look. Just like the Faroese Islands itselves.

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