The Insider's Club: July Issue

The most complete GUIDE to the INSIDE

The Insider’s Club July 2017

Hot Spot of the Month

Jamaica

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Choose Your News Explore: Jamaica 4-5 Where To Stay 6-9 Exclusive Virtuoso World Travel Experiences 10-19 Tech News: Travel Technology 20-21

Explore: Jamaica

Explore: Jamaica Written by Damien Martin Of all the attractions Jamaica offers visitors, the top draw might well be a smile.

“There’s nothing better than a Jamaican,” says Karen Bull of Island Luxe, Places of Personality, which represents resorts across the Caribbean and Bermuda. “They’re the warmest, most beautiful people.”

Bull, a native Bermudian and the “Queen of the Caribbean,” knows of what she speaks.

“Its authenticity, its rawness, it’s the real deal,” Bull says of Jamaica. “A lot of islands have come into tourism of late. Jamaica was born into this.” The high level of service is a big part of the reason Jamaica welcomes more than a million visitors each year. Of course, there’s also a lot to experience. The northern coast of the island, especially the 120-mile stretch from Oracabessa in the east to Negril on the western tip, is a playground of white-sand beaches, lush forests and rushing rivers. The international airport in Montego Bay is smack-dab in the middle of the action and saves the trouble of a three-and-a-half-hour commute from Kingston, the capital.

Rafting on the White River or the Martha Brae is a must, Bull says, as is hitting the links at Ironshore or White Witch golf courses. You’ll also want to spend a day or two exploring Negril. Cliff divers at Rick’s Cafe -- also a great place to watch the sunset -- brave the 35-foot leap to entertain onlookers (please leave the jumping to the pros), and what the restaurants at The Caves and the Rockhouse lack in death-defying entertainment they make up for in great food and ambience.

When it comes to food, yes, you should absolutely try some jerk chicken or pork from a roadside stand, street food being one of the best things about the Caribbean. Because Jamaica’s land is so arable, Bull says, there’s a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that “just pop with flavor.” And the Blue Mountains yield what Bull lauds as the “smoothest coffee ever.”

Of course, Jamaica’s most famous export is reggae, and you’ll find no shortage of music festivals, highlighted by Bob Marley Week and Bob Marley Birthday Bash in February and Reggae Summerfest in June. Reggae is a way to connect with the people and history of Jamaica, as songs tell the stories of political turmoil in the post-colonial era, romantic and social interactions and introduce outsiders to the unique Rastafarian religion (while marijuana aka ganja or sinsemilla is considered a sacred herb by adherents, it is still illegal, and our advice is not to break the law no matter where you’re travelling).

Whatever you chose to do in Jamaica, make sure you stay for at least a few days -- “a cruise experience is way different from an authentic resort,” Bull says -- and be prepared to fall in love with the place and its people. “They open their arms to you,” Bull says. Embrace them back, and you’ll have an unforgettable trip.

Jamaica:

Where you should stay

Tryall Club

Your most memorable moments at The Tryall Club just may be on the golf course, accompanied by your entertaining and experienced caddie (for whom the resort is known). The Ralph Plummer–designed championship golf course is one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated.

In this exclusive-club atmosphere, you’ll stay in a spacious, privately owned villa, with its own inviting swimming pool and expertly trained staff. After your very first stay, you’ll want to return again and again and make this your home away from home. Here your every wish and whim is attended to by your villa’s extraordinary staff of chefs, butlers and maids.

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Jamaica Inn

For more than 50 years, Jamaica Inn has been ranked among the Caribbean’s top destination hotels, especially as an ideal location for honeymooners. You’ll realize why as soon as you arrive at this intimate enclave of just 52 suites, all of which overlook the beach or the sea. Each suite boasts a private balcony or spacious veranda, air conditioning, ceiling fans and cool ocean breezes wafting through louvered shutters. When you aren’t enjoying what many consider to be Jamaica’s finest beach, take time to indulge at the Ocean Spa, which is set atop coral cliffs and offers treatments inspired by the island’s native plants.

GoldenEye Once the Jamaican home of renowned author Ian Fleming, GoldenEye was developed by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, and opened as a resort in 2011. GoldenEye is home to private beaches, secret coves, a seawater lagoon and The Fleming Villa (where all 14 James Bond books were written). There are two restaurants (The Gazebo and Bizot Bar), a unique FieldSpa and Ocean Front Villas. In April 2016, Blackwell expanded his vision for GoldenEye with the addition of 26 Beach Huts, a seaside bar and rooftop terrace (Shabeen), pool area, snorkeling cove and bayside beach and bar (Bamboo Bar). GoldenEye is located 20 minutes east of Ocho Rios.

Half Moon Known as the quintessential Caribbean resort, the exceedingly stylish Half Moon welcomes couples and families alike to its haven of barefoot elegance. You’ll quickly understand why so many guests return here each year. Families are particularly happy, thanks to the ample activities for children including the colourful Anancy Children’s Village and spacious accommodations. Enjoy an un-matched array of activities from golf on the Robert Trent Jones Sr.–designed course, tennis, shopping, scuba diving, snorkeling and luscious treatments at Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon, with its outdoor soaking tubs and walking labyrinth to horseback riding.

Exclusive Virtuoso

World Travel Experiences

Romantic Hideaway

Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Italy Valid for travel now through January 7th, 2018

Experience Includes: • • • •

Two night stay in your chosen room or suite.

Daily buffet breakfast at the restaurant or in-room continental breakfast.

A bottle of champagne and in-room romantic welcome gift.

One-hour Couples Massage in the privacy of our Side-by-Side Suite or One ESPA Treatment (55 minutes) per person.

• One entrance per person to our Spa heat experiences before the treatment: invigorating shower, refreshing ice fountain, gentle sauna, aromatic Turkish bath, heated outdoor patio covered vitalty pool, relaxation lounge overlooking vineyards and olive groves.

• One 4-course candlelit à la carte dinner for two at our Michelin Starred Restaurant La Torre (drinks not included).

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World Travel Experiences

Complientary 3rd Night

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, CA Valid for travel from August 1st - September 30th, 2017

Experience Includes:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability • Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests • $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit, (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full, not applicable towards room tax, resort fee, valet parking, Eco Adventure Center, tennis, and recreation activities) • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability • Complimentary Wi-Fi

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World Travel Experiences

Early Bird Special

Wilderness Safaris, Botswana Valid for travel from October 1st, 2017- March 31st, 2018 (Excluding December 20th-January 10th)

Experience Includes: • Enjoy the wildlife and scenic wonders of three completely diverse areas in two spectacular African countries – Botswana and Zambia – in nine days.

• By booking between now and 30 September 2017 you’ll receive 5% discount • All meals and drinks except premium branded drinks • Two daily in-house activities • Package must be a minimum of 6 nights for the special to be applied • Package may not be used in conjunction with any other special.

• Non-participating camps may not be used to make up the minimum number of nights.

• Standard Wilderness Safaris Terms & Conditions apply.

Exclusive Virtuoso

World Travel Experiences

Virtuoso Experience

El Otro Lado Private Retreat, Portobelo, Panama Valid for travel now through December 31st, 2017

Experience Includes: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

5 night accommodation for 2 people Private transfers from and to Panama city Airport ( Tocumen ) Transfer from Portobelo to El Otro Lado Personalized welcome note Basket of tropical fruits Bottle of house wine Breakfast Lunch a la carte with a non-alcoholic beverage each day Dinner a la carte with a glass of wine each night One special romantic lunch on the terrace of the dam, once per stay A roundtrip transfer to Playa Blanca once during the stay with picnic day Snorkeling trip to Puerto Frances Beach once per stay An exclusive boat trip “La Farahona” by stay Personalized, unique and exclusive souvenir of El Otro Lado for each guest

Exclusive Virtuoso

World Travel Experiences

5 day Cairns Reef & Rainforest Adventure Travel2

Valid for travel through March 31st, 2018

Experience Includes:

• 4 nights Cairns, Pacific Hotel including one FREE night • Great Barrier Reef full day cruise • Daintree Rainforest full day guided sightseeing tour including Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail Rainforest cableway across the rainforest and also Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural park.

• Round trip transfers between Cairns Airport and your hotel

Tech News:

Travel Tech

GateGuru The mission is simple: Travel. Reinvented. Think about the glory days of air travel. It was fun and magical. Now think about the current air travel experience.

It is filled with stress, anxiety and frustration. GateGuru is the first door-to-door solution for a traveler on their day-of travel. Estimate security line wait times, be notified of gate changes, find the best restaurants and shopping in the terminal.

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Monument Tracker Your smartphone in your pocket, monuments and history are revealed automatically, informing you during your walk, on foot, by bike or on a taxi.

No research, no stress, no mandatory itineraries, you cultivate in a fun way, strolling carefree: a new approach quite original.As a scout, Monument Tracker revolutionizes the use of tourist guide and design a technology 100% cultural suit the mode of the user itinerant and changing.

Jackery Bolt

Bolt features rocket fast charging with a maximum output of 2.4A and input of 2.0A. Bolt’s unique design of charging devices while being charged means that at night, you can plug in the Bolt and plug in up to 3 devices, and everything will be fully charged in the morning!