Fiji’s beaches are for more than sinking your toes in the sand and getting a nice tan. This amazing destination’s best beaches compete in beauty with the Seussian array of marine life below the water’s surface and the candy-colored coral reefs fringing the over 300 islands here.

Check out Turtle Island and its Honeymoon Beach for ultimate privacy. Looking to indulge in awe-inspiring sunsets? Liku Beach is the place to be. Namale Private Beach garners celebrity attention, as stars like Russell Crowe and Edward Norton frequent this Vanua Levu spot, and Natadola Beach is the place to be for anyone who enjoys a nice swim.

Follow our lead to the best Fiji beaches that can only be called the makings of South Pacific dreams.

Castaway Island

Soft, white-sand beaches and easy snorkeling access to the technicolor hard coral gardens just offshore make the beautiful stretch of shoreline at Castaway Island a Fijian favorite. Officially named Qalito Island, Castaway Island lies between the 20-island Mamanuca Chain, a volcanic archipelago to the west of Fiji’s capital. The four-star resort here is surrounded by rainforest, beaches, and more beaches.

Honeymoon Beach

One of 14 best beaches on the exclusive private Fijian island resort of Turtle Island, Honeymoon Beach is a postcard-perfect crescent with white sands framed by rocky headlands and languorously leaning palms. You’ll likely have this beach to yourself, too. Turtle Island has accommodations for only 14 couples and the same number of beaches to seduce them.

Horseshoe Bay

We ranked Matangi Private Island Resort among our “100 Best Private Islands Resorts,” and there’s no denying our love for the horseshoe-shaped beach here with its powder-soft sand and pristine reefs right offshore. The beach is such a stunner that it’s even been named among the world’s must-sees in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. Spend your days sunbathing along its shores, or request that the concierge arrange a romantic picnic on the sand a deux.

Liku Beach

There’s something Jurassic about the verdant and vertical backdrop of this west-facing beach in the Mamanuca Islands, whose Fijian name means “sunset.” Liku Beach stretches for 3,000 glorious feet along Tokoriki Island. From the middle of the beach, ascend a staircase to heaven of sorts, up to fabulous (and adults-only) Tokoriki Island Resort.

Namale Private Beach

With three staff per guest at the uber-luxe Namale Resort & Spa on Vanua Levu’s south coast, you’ll hardly have to struggle to get a waterside cocktail at this spectacular private beach bathed with the shade of coconut palms. Russell Crowe and Edward Norton are among Namale’s celebrity fans. Be prepared for temptations such as scuba diving trips in the Koro Sea and hikes to a hidden waterfall nearby to tempt you from your beach chair.

Natadola Beach

It’s just a 30-minute ride from Nadi to this little slice of heaven along Fiji’s reef-rich Coral Coast on the main island of Viti Levu. And Natadola Beach is known for being perfectly swimmable no matter what the tide happens to be doing. For the most luxe digs here, book a room at the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, the only five-star property on Natadola Bay. Head to either end of the sweeping beach for excellent snorkeling.

Seagrass Bay

You’ll have to be bedding down at one of the decadent residences at Como Laucala Island to access this private beach with a reedy name that hardly hints at its crystal-clear waters. Seagrass Bay is the 3,000-acre island’s most dazzling beach, boasting a long stretch of sand and Laucala’s best snorkeling. Splurge on the peninsula residence, and you’ll have a private section of the bay just for the two of you.

Yasawa Island Beaches

It’s well worth the trek to Fiji’s western edge and the remote beaches in the Yasawa Island group. Covered in blowing grasslands, the islands reach toward the sky and plunge onto white-sand shores. There’s a beautiful stretch of sand fronting Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, where just 18 luxury bungalows and Fiji’s first beachfront spa await.

Vomo Island

It’s back to the Mamanucas for the kind of beaches you only ever see on screensavers — unless you head to Vomo Island, of course. The sand is chalk white, and the water is the hue of Easter egg dye at the beach fringing Vomo Island Resort. Ask the concierge to help you plan a hike to the top of Mt. Vomo for 360-degree views of paradise.

Mana Island

The stunning beaches and coral gardens of Mana Island, just 15 miles from the main island of Viti Levu in the Mamanucas, are enough to make you want to miss your flight home and live in Fiji.

The post 10 Beautiful Beaches that Will Have You Dreaming of Visiting Fiji appeared first on Islands.

Can you put a price tag on love? Better yet, can you assign a monetary value to romantic experiences? The easy answer is yes, because many of us have strict travel budgets so everything needs to come at a bargain. But what if you had no limitations and could do anything and go anywhere to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? That’s the kind of daydreaming that we love.

All you need now is some inspiration. Here are six hotels and resorts that have cultivated exceptionally romantic experiences for Valentine’s Day, but even if it’s too last-minute, keep an eye on these properties—they’re always up to something amazing.

Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf, St. Barth

When I recently visited Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf, I experienced quite a few “you have to be kidding me” moments, but none more than when I stepped through the doors of Villa Diane. With enough sleeping and living space to comfortably fit up to 10 people, it also has the advantage of seclusion through creative design, as anyone who needs a break from the family reunion or wedding festivities can still steal a moment of peace on a private terrace.

But what about two people? In that sense, Villa Diane is like a modern castle, set high above Gustavia with magnificent views of this A-lister’s paradise. Two or 10, there’s pampering to be enjoyed here, and the newest experience from this stunning property includes a private chef and personal butler, in-villa yoga and pilates classes, VIP service to and from the airport, a sunbed at the nearby Shellona Beach Club, and access to the rest of the hotel’s outstanding amenities.

The price? This romantic experience begins at $18,960 per night. If that shattered too many monocles, the hotel is also offering a Valentine’s Day package for stays of three nights or longer that starts at $13,000 and includes a stay in the Junior Suite Terrace Sea View (amazing views and a private plunge pool are included), dinner at Fouquet’s by three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire, a 45-minute couples massage, guided hike to Petit Cul de Sac, a sunset catamaran tour of the island’s beautiful beaches, and a 30-minute helicopter “air baptism” over the Caribbean Sea, among other activities.

The St. Regis Bora Bora

Some people think it’s cliché to pop the question on Valentine’s Day, and that might be the case if you’re planning to do it over dessert in the crowded dining room at the local Macaroni Grill. But asking the ultimate question to that special someone with Bora Bora’s Mount Popoti as your backdrop? The only clichés will be the responses from your jealous friends.

Starting at $15,000, this proposal or vow renewal experience includes a five-night stay in a St. Regis Bora Bora overwater villa, a gourmet champagne picnic curated by Chef Nicolas Nguyen of Lagoon by Jean-George Restaurant, a private sunset sail on the Vitamin Sea catamaran (hopefully to celebrate the correct answer), a helicopter tour of this amazing destination, signature canoe breakfast, and a 24-carat gold al fresco couples massage overlooking the resort’s Lagoonarium and Mount Otemanu, among other perks.

I know what you’re thinking: “Who would ever want to leave after such a trip?” Don’t worry, extra nights can be added.

Lovango Resort and Beach Club, St. John

When owners Mark and Gwenn Snider first visited this beautiful destination in the U.S. Virgin Islands, they thought they’d found heaven. Now, with creative experiences and myriad fantastic amenities and activities, Lovango Resort and Beach Club is sharing that otherworldly feeling with guests, and all of February will feature a big emphasis on romance.

Couples can book stays of three nights or longer using the code LOVE and enjoy the unique luxury treehouses or glamping tents that will not only make them appreciate the natural beauty, but also add an extra element of seclusion to this private island getaway. Also included is a private cabana for one day, breakfast at the Treetops Lounge, a romantic picnic on Honeymoon Beach (so maybe bring that ring and rehearse a certain question), and a private beach dinner under the majestic clear night sky.

To top it all off, the resort’s mixologist will even craft a personalized cocktail with a couple’s favorite ingredients.

Soneva Jani, Maldives

Valentine’s Day isn’t always about the couple. It can be about the entire family, too. At Soneva Jani, this special day offers something special for travelers of all ages. The couple will, of course, enjoy the floating champagne breakfast in their private pool, but children will the cherish the chance to make special cards and crafts for their parents or friends and family back home. (Grandparents deserve Valentine’s Day treats, too!) Other perks include restorative massages at Soneva Soul and snorkeling the Noonu Atoll, but the dinner options are where things get really interesting and very romantic.

Head to So Engaging for the five-course “Loving Journey Around the World” dinner or indulge in a delicious seafood BBQ at So Primitive. A special Valentine’s Day menu is available at Director’s Cut, which offers guests views of the movie screen at Cinema Paradiso, or the night sky can be the entertainment during a meal at So Starstruck. Still not what you’re looking for? A dinner for two on a private island can be arranged.

VOMO Island Fiji

Valentine’s Day takes place on February 14, but at VOMO Island Fiji, guests will have two months to bask in the romance. Already a haven for couples who want to feel like the only people on Earth, this 225-acre destination is cranking the love up to 11 in February and March with a new offering that not only includes all the resort’s best activities—hiking Mt. Vomo, snorkeling, kayaking, dominating the Par 3 golf course—but three bonus concepts that are all about love.

The toughest part will be choosing between them. Should guests pick the half-day private island picnic on Vomo Lai Lai that is only available to one couple per day, or should they book the beachfront dinner for two at the resort’s legendary stretch of sand? What about the 60-minute couples massage at Kui Spa? All we know is the easiest choice is booking four nights or more, because guests will receive an extra night free.

The Jefferson DC, Washington DC

It’s not the Caribbean, French Polynesia, or the Maldives, but when travel time is a huge concern, you can’t go wrong by simply ditching the passports and heading to a destination that is still rich with history and one particularly creative hotel. The Jefferson DC’s romantic offering includes a stay in the amazing First Lady Suite, which offers top-floor views that’ll make any couple feel like visiting royalty. Especially when beating the cold weather by sitting in front of the fireplace.

In addition to strolls around the city and visiting the landmarks, a couple can enjoy delicious cocktails at Quill, undoubtedly one of the coolest bars in town, before taking a seat at The Bird’s Nest, which is so spectacular in design that people could spend a whole evening enjoying conversation before they realize how much time has passed.

The post 6 Over-the-Top and Downright Awesome Valentine’s Day Experiences appeared first on Islands.

The concept of a full resort or private island buyout isn’t anything new, but it certainly became far more popular in the last year or so. As families, groups of friends, and even companies sought to make up for lost time and reschedule everything from destination weddings to teambuilding retreats, it simply became more convenient to consider reserving the entire place for the sake of focusing on the people who matter most.

And even as tropical travel trends continue to improve and people return to their favorite resorts all over the world, it’s safe to assume the buyout concept won’t go away. If anything, it will only get bigger and better, and that theory is backed by the latest massive offering from Fiji’s Wakaya Club and Spa, which invites the whole crew to come and experience seven amazing days of action, adventure, and pure bliss.

As many as 32 guests can call this extravagant private island home for a full week, and the only stress that will be experienced will involve choosing who will stay in the bures and which lucky visitor will get dibs on the new and spectacular Sega Na Leqa, which would be an incredible choice for a couple hosting the destination wedding of anyone’s dreams.

But this is less about where guests will sleep and more about everything that will wear them out. Golfers should pack their clubs and enjoy unlimited use of the 9-hole course, while anyone who can’t skip a day at the gym will love the fitness bure. Everyone else can take turns kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling in the Wakaya Marine Preserve, or settle their beefs over who gets which bure on the tennis court. (Lessons are also available for anyone who wants a leg up.)

Food is always a key factor, and the culinary offering here might be the centerpiece of this experience for many guests. Not only is a private chef and personal butler service available, but Chef Marielle Hajj will also lead cooking classes for anyone who loves to learn about regional cuisine. For romance, there are private beach picnics, and those adventure lovers, still feeling the buzz from guided excursions, can even spear fish for their dinner that night.

Hold on to your monocles, because the cost of this epic vacation starts at $330,750 per week, but when you factor in the number of people and everything that is included, it seems like a steal.

The post A Private Island Resort in Fiji is Offering the Most Incredible Week of a Lifetime appeared first on Islands.

When it comes to planning a trip to Fiji, it is borderline impossible to experience boredom. In fact, the only problem a person might encounter is not having enough time to do everything on the wish list. However, even if time is at a premium, there is one thing that everyone should try to do when visiting this spectacular destination: spend a day at Cloud 9 Fiji.

This floating restaurant off the coast of Viti Levu is arguably the coolest base from which travelers can snorkel, swim, and sunbathe, all while sipping creative cocktails and eating amazing wood-fired pizza. And even if all you want is a morning and afternoon spent resting and relaxing, this is undoubtedly the place to do it.

Don’t believe us? Cloud 9’s perks speak for themselves.

It’s basically a private island

Cloud 9 is a two-level floating platform just a 45-minute boat ride from Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. A limited number of people are allowed to visit Cloud 9 each day, which makes it exclusive and private.

Delicious cocktails

Cloud 9 features a well-stocked bar featuring international spirits as well as local favorites from The Distillery Co. Fiji, as well as cold brew from the South Pacific Coffee Company when guests need their morning pick-me-up ahead of the adventure.

Social media bragging rights

Jump off the side for a swim. Don your snorkel gear and explore the underwater surroundings. Just be sure to snap plenty of shots and use the onboard Wi-Fi to make your friends back home jealous.

You’re due for some relaxation

After you’ve got your splashing and swimming in, take a nap on deck and catch some rays. You’ll have to make a difficult choice though: a reclining day bed or a comfortable hanging chair.

Killer tunes

Cloud 9 often brings in international DJs to liven things up. Traumer, Pepperpot, and Bar’el are all spinning at Cloud 9 this month.

Because … pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? Cloud 9 serves Italian wood-fired pizzas handmade by their Fijian chef. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

And local beer

You’ll have to decide for yourself if Fiji Gold or Fiji Bitter is the better local beer. We suggest lots of taste testing in between snorkeling and snoozing.

Snorkeling

Located on Ro Ro Reef, Cloud 9 has ample snorkeling opportunities and gear can be rented when booking your trip from Port Denerau.

Did we mention the view?

With a 360-degree panoramic view of the ocean, Cloud 9 truly feels like an island oasis.

The post 9 Reasons to Make Cloud 9 Part of Your Fiji Vacation appeared first on Islands.

Set on 255 lush acres of an idyllic, private island in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji, VOMO Islands Fiji is surrounded by sparkling white sand beaches, azure waters, and pristine reefs. Accessible only by helicopter or speedboat, the property offers spectacular accommodations to guests staying in one of the resort’s luxury beachfront or hillside villas or one of six exclusive private beachfront residences while enjoying world-class dining and amenities. 

And heading into the 2022-2023 tourism season, VOMO has some exciting new features, including an ultra-luxe private beachfront residence, luxury day excursions, and new eco-driven sustainability initiatives designed to preserve the island’s beautiful habitat.

The latest of VOMO’s private beachfront residences is the soon-to-be highly coveted, five-bedroom Reef House—now the largest of the resort’s private residences, which officially welcomes up to 10 guests starting this November. Spanning 100 meters of beachfront on the northern shore, the Reef House provides breathtaking views of the nearby Yasawa Islands from a contemporary architectural masterpiece.

Boasting “strong design hints of Oceania,” the Reef House does not leave a single detail overlooked, employing optimal advantage of the sun, shade, and breeze. Minimalistic glass doors and hallways flow into one continuous space, leading out to entertainment decks that overlook the expansive, charcoal-tiled infinity swimming pool, where guests can relax in the utmost luxury with butler service attending to their every whim.

VOMO also provides a way that anyone visiting Fiji can enjoy this island for a day. With the new “Sundays on The Rocks” program, travelers staying on Fiji’s main island can jaunt in for a luxury excursion to The Rocks, VOMO’s adults-only pool, bar, and restaurant. 

Available only on Sundays through the end of November, visitors depart by speedboat from the marina at nearby Denarau Island at 10:30 am and spend the day relaxing on sun loungers, taking in live music, indulging in the Chef’s special grazing menu, as well as enjoying unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and all-day happy hour specials.

The post VOMO Islands Fiji Set to Debut the Luxurious Five-bedroom ‘Reef House’ appeared first on Islands.

From the Caribbean and Mexico to Spain, South Africa and even Utah, there’s a host of luxurious hotels with private pools perfect for the most relaxing, most romantic getaways. Isolate yourselves at Amangiri in the seemingly remote landscape of Utah; there are sunsets and gorgeous horizons all around. Prefer something more tropical? Visit St. Lucia and Jade Mountain for vistas overlooking the island.

If you’re looking for hotel rooms with a private pool, read on for our list of the best 14 locations.

Jade Mountain – Soufriere, St. Lucia

The 24 suites, aptly called sanctuaries at Jade Mountain, are stacked atop each other on a hillside, all with heart-stopping views. As you open the door, get ready to be wowed: Organic architecture blends curved stone walls with exotic hardwood floors, and the open plan means you’re never without a view, from the king-sized bed draped with mosquito netting to the sans-walls bathroom with its sexy whirlpool tub.

But the stars are the pools. Sized from 400 to 900 square feet, each is lined with iridescent glass tiles in shades like sapphire, jade, magenta and bronze. The effect is so mesmerizing you won’t mind that there’s no TV (or air conditioning, as the lofty locale provides cooling breezes). Just pour yourselves some bubbly, and slip into your infinity-edge paradise.

Royal Davui Island Resort – Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Each romantic “vale” is nestled into hillside foliage with plunge pools facing out toward the lagoon for ultimate privacy at Royal Davui Island Resort. Trading up from the island or deluxe categories to premium earns you the largest and most private oasis with its own refreshing rock waterfall.

Inside, a 20-foot netted canopy hangs from the ceiling to cocoon the king bed, which floats mid-room on a sea of polished Fijian-wood flooring adjacent to a large bathroom with a whirlpool tub and outdoor shower. A separate living room has sliding glass walls and a sunning patio with twin chaise lounges.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This 539-room all-inclusive is definitely abuzz, but the quiet Grand Class section perfectly combines luxe amenities with honeymoon privacy. All 90 suites in this section have ocean views, spa tubs and oceanfront balconies with private plunge pools. There’s even room for a massage table, should you prefer your spa treatment in suite. Top-floor rooms boast vaulted ceilings and the best views.

Hermitage Bay – Antigua

Yes, Hermitage Bay has cottages set right on the beach. But if it’s privacy and plunge pools you seek, request one of 17 hillside-cottage suites. You have to trek up a steep stone path to get there, but your effort is rewarded with the treehouse-like enclave, boasting sexy extras like a king bed, outdoor shower, wraparound sun deck and infinity-edge plunge pool with views that stretch all the way to neighboring Nevis and Montserrat.

The Resort at Pedregal – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Each of the 66 rooms and suites features a private terrace with a plunge pool, but, for the most indulgent ambience, book one of the eight Capella rooms at the Resort at Pedregal. These oversized havens have carved, wood-beam ceilings, a separate sitting area and a driftwood-back king bed positioned opposite a fireplace. The terrace door opens to an infinity-edge plunge pool with stellar sea views. More watery revelry is on tap inside in the rainforest shower for two.

Cavo Tagoo – Mykonos, Greece

Cavo Tagoo stays true to the stark-white Cycladic architecture Mykonos is known for, but the whitewashed interiors are refreshingly modern. Classic rooms on the lower level have private terraces and refreshing plunge pools while the upper-level deluxe rooms come with infinity-edge pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. A free shuttle runs between the hotel and Old Town five minutes away.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Bora Bora, French Polynesia

All of the resort’s plush, overwater bungalows offer dive- or step-in access to the lagoon, but couples who book an overwater bungalow with a plunge pool can also take a freshwater dip on the lanai right outside their room. It’s perfect for a relaxing rinse after a snorkel session or a sunset soak complete with champagne.

Inside, contemporary Polynesian décor is equally seductive, especially the oversized tub with lagoon views. The glass panel in the living room floor lets you spy on multicolored reef fish below.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba – Riviera Maya, Mexico

For a romantic respite, book a bilevel spa-pool villa at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. Here, your rectangular H2O oasis is the perfect relaxation spot after a massage in your private treatment area. The décor is Asian spare meets Mexican spice. Think minimalist architecture that blends into the landscape and a neutral color palette accented by touches of orange and red.

Your outdoor terrace has twin chaise lounges and a dining area. Round-the-clock room service ups your incentive to stay put, too.

Ladera – Soufriere, St. Lucia

St. Lucia oozes romance, and the 32 treehouse-style rooms at Ladera match that vibe perfectly. Situated on a ridge 1,100 feet above sea level, the three-walled suites boast panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Pitons (two mountainous volcanic plugs) and the town of Soufriere. Each terrace has a private plunge pool surrounded by lush landscaping. Many also have waterfalls and teak swing sets hanging from the ceiling.

Spice Island Beach Resort – St. George’s, Grenada

This all-inclusive, 32-room boutique resort on Grenada’s southwest coast is on prime real estate, steps away from expansive Grand Anse Beach. The resort’s 1,200-square-foot Anthurium pool suites are located on the lower level, and each has a private courtyard terrace where gardens and chaise lounges surround a supersized 12-by-16-foot plunge pool.

Uma Ubud – Bali, Indonesia

There are just three Uma pool suites at COCO Uma Ubud. They’re constructed in an open, airy Balinese style with separate lounging, dining and sleeping areas. Each bedroom features a four-poster king bed and gleaming terrazzo floor that leads to a light-filled bathroom with a sunken tub for two. Outside, a pair of chaises flanks a sapphire-blue infinity plunge pool embraced by the solitude of the Balinese jungle.

Belmond La Residencia – Majorca, Spain

The isle of Majorca is classic Mediterranean: olive groves, quaint towns and seaside cliffs. Within the sleepy artists village of Deià is Belmond La Residencia, a pair of stunning stone houses that have been converted into a 67-room Orient Express retreat. Here, guests lounge around the grounds, hike to the nearby swimming cove or hole up in a Tramuntana suite with a tiled garden terrace and private pool.

Amangiri – Lake Powell, Utah

The stunning Utah landscape is best experienced at Amangiri, a 34-room oasis surrounded by stark plateaus near the Arizona border and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Six of the hotel’s suites have spacious plunge pools and private, candlelit sky terraces accessed by staircase and furnished with a daybed. It’s perfect for evening stargazing.

Earth Lodge – Mpumalanga, South Africa

Spend your mornings spotting lions, giraffes and elephants from a Land Rover while on safari around Kruger National Park. Then, return to Earth Lodge for afternoons staring out over the bush from the pool on your private terrace. The lodge’s 13 suites were made from stone and built low to the ground. While they appear minimal on the outside, inside, they’re an interior designer’s dream.

Each suite is filled with rich metallic art and funky, locally sourced furnishings, such as handmade twig chandeliers.

The post 14 Romantic Resorts with Private Plunge Pools appeared first on Islands.

Check out music festivals in tropical locations like Dominica, an epicenter for everything to do with Creole-inspired music and its unique genres. More interested in learning about the environment while immersing yourself in it? Join the Sea & Learn foundation on the small island of Saba for its annual, month-long visit. San Francisco also offers a completely free festival at beautiful Golden Gate Park.

If all that seems too tame for you, there’s also the thrilling Phuket Vegetarian Festival where devotees perform self-mutilating piercings (typically in the cheek or lip) during what is also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.

Whatever your fancy, read on for the best places to travel in October.

Felabration — Lagos, Nigeria

Travel to Lagos, Nigeria, for a music festival dedicated to the life and work of one man: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Felabration hosts a variety of artists from hip-hop, R&B, jazz and the Kuti-derived Afrobeat genre. It lasts the week of his birthday and takes place at New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos State.

In addition to celebrating his musical work, Felabration also celebrates Kuti’s work as a human-rights activist. He fought aggressively against an oppressive Nigerian government in the 1970s, and, to honor that sentiment today, Felabration hosts competitive debates around topics like poverty and corruption. The Felebration Symposium also invites professors and local politicians to speak.

Felebration ’22 runs from Sep. 28 to Oct. 4.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival — San Francisco

Nowadays, music festivals usually cost a pretty penny or some volunteer hours to gain entry. With the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival in San Francisco, that isn’t the case; in fact, the festival is completely free.

Plan a trip to Golden Gate Park for what originated as a “Strictly Bluegrass” festival in 2001. By 2004, however, Founder Warren Hellman, co-founder of multi-billion-dollar equity firms, added “Hardly” to the name, as artists from other genres began performing at the festival, too.

Hellman’s vision was to avoid corporate sponsors, so he always funded the festival. Despite his death two months after the 2011 iteration, the festival will remain free until 2026, thanks to the endowment Hellman left.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass attendees are encouraged to be environmentally friendly and bike or use public transportation to the festival. No hard alcohol is allowed, but you’re still allowed to bring your own beer and wine.

The festival goes from Sep. 30 to Oct. 2.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival — Thailand

If you have an appetite for southeastern-Asian, vegetarian food, you should consider heading to amazing Phuket for the vegetarian festival. Be warned, though: This isn’t a festival dedicated to meat-free eating. It is, perhaps, one of the most intense celebrations in the world and is not for the squeamish or faint of heart.

The festival’s other name is the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Unmarried men and women known as “masong” invite the spirits of the gods to enter their bodies under trance and proceed with extreme, self-mutilating body piercings (usually around the mouth area) and burning-coal walks. The masong are not allowed to eat meat, drink alcohol or have sex to maintain pure thoughts and a clean body.

Those strict requirements, in turn, help fill the streets with food stalls selling vegan delicacies (dairy isn’t allowed either), like boiled noodles, steamed-rice dishes and fresh spring rolls. The environment is hectic, as fireworks and firecrackers are constantly firing off, especially on the last night. So, be sure to wear long sleeves, close-toed shoes and earplugs.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival/Nine Emperor Gods Festival takes place from Sept. 25 to Oct. 4.

Suwannee Hulaween — Live Oak, Florida

Combine your love for Halloween with a variety of music, friendly vibes and the natural world, and you get Suwannee Hulaween. It’s a music festival in Live Oak, Florida, started by the band the String Cheese Incident and set in a naturally enclosed, wooded environment with a lake.

There are four stages, but, if you need a break from the music, there’s also other activities. Attendees can join yoga classes, learn to balance on a slackline, partake in music meditations or go on guided nature walks. Live Oak is also less than two hours by car from beautiful Cedar Key, so there’s always an opportunity for an extended vacation.

Some names on their lineup for 2022 include Portugal. The Man, Gorgon City, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, among many others.

Suwannee Hulaween goes from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30.

Sea & Learn — Saba

October is a big month for the tiny Caribbean island of Saba. Just a 12-minute flight from St. Maarten, Saba is home to less than 2,000 people and a vast, mostly untouched ecosystem. It’s known as the “Unspoiled Queen,” and, each October, the Sea & Learn non-profit foundation hosts a month-long event dedicated to eco-education and enhancing “your environmental awareness.”

A host of experts are invited to Saba, and, every other night, each expert presents a topic. Those experts also visit Saba schools with the Saba Conservation and Child Focus program to teach the local youth about their home. Tourists and local adults alike are invited to join in the myriad dynamic, educational events, as all, with the exception of the school program, are free to the public.

World Creole Music Festival — Dominica

Join the local population on Dominica in build-up celebrations to their November independence day all throughout October.

Interested in a variety of Caribbean music genres? Check out the three-night World Creole Music Festival (WCMF). These genres derive from a combination of influences from Creole-speaking countries. You’ll hear sounds from the Cadence-Iypso, Kompa, Zouk, Soukous, Bouyon and Zydeco genres. Food, drink and snack vendors are within the festival grounds, too.

Dominica’s WCMF takes place Oct. 28 to Oct. 30. And don’t forget about the many other concerts and celebrations taking place throughout the month. All said, it’s certainly a great way to discover Dominica.

Diwali — Fiji

At the end of October, Hindus celebrate their festival of lights, Diwali. With much of the population having Indian heritage, Fiji celebrates this holiday, too, but with a touch of South Pacific culture. The holiday is so ingrained in Fijian culture that even non-Hindus of the 300-island nation join in the festivities.

It’s literally a blast all over the country, as fireworks are shot off and houses and businesses are festively lit. Hindu families perform “puja” ritual prayers to the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, Lakshmi. To echo that sentiment, people go on mini shopping sprees.

Diwali in Fiji takes place this year on Tuesday, Oct. 25. There are plenty of amazing resorts to choose from as well.

Goblins and Giggles — Orlando, FL

Looking to stay close to home? Head to Orlando for one of the best Halloween celebrations in Central Florida at a resort that really knows how to maximize holiday experiences. Goblins and Giggles actually kicks off on September 9, so guests have plenty of time to plan ahead and squeeze in as much spooktacular fun as the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center offers.

Families can book the weekend package, which includes room and tickets to the Ghoul School show, or the premium Saturday package, which includes the same, as well as passes to the Monster Mash Bash. And every young guest will also receive the booklet for the Halloween Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt, which promises special prizes.

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Even for couples who love to travel, planning a destination wedding can be overwhelming. 

First, you have to decide on a place that appeals to you and your most cherished guests. Then there are the logistics of navigating all the usual wedding planning—only in a location that you most likely can’t just visit every weekend for an in-person inspection.

When you’re ready to go big—and you want it to go off without a hitch (except for getting hitched, of course)—Namale Fiji Resort and Spa ticks all the boxes for a bucket list destination wedding in what’s easily one of the most spectacular tropical locales in the world. 

Picture this: a former coconut plantation turned boutique luxury resort sprawling across 525 acres, and it’s all lapped by the deep blue ocean along Fiji’s north coast as your backdrop for photos, celebrating and making memories with family and friends that will last a lifetime, for the happy couple and everyone else, too

Don’t believe us? Here are three reasons to choose this resort:

Incredible outdoor adventures for your guests

Your wedding is of course the main event gathering everyone in celebration. But your guests who came this far to fete are surely going to want to get out and enjoy some of the most incredible nature experiences in the South Pacific while they’re in Fiji, too. 

Among the many adventures they can have during their stay are scuba diving atop the colorful coral reefs of the Koro Sea (Fiji is the soft coral capital of the world, and the colors look like something from a Froot Loops box), hiking through virgin rainforest to hidden waterfalls, and learning about local Fijian culture during a traditional kava ceremony. 

Range of accommodations for an intimate or grand affair

When the resort first opened, it offered just a single vacation home for guests to enjoy. Today, it’s a sprawling all-inclusive with 22 private luxury bures and villas, a 10,000-sq. ft. spa overlooking the Koro Sea, and two fabulous restaurants. Whether you’re hosting an intimate affair with just your immediate family or looking to invite quite a few more faces, there’s space for everyone to spread out in their own private piece of paradise here. 

Wedding packages for every sort of celebration 

If you require help arranging a full-service wedding or need something more customizable—a group wedding package to host a crowd or something more intimate, like a vow renewal ceremony—Namale takes the lead on planning your day. 

Among the amenities at your service are the resort’s wedding concierge and a range of wedding packages to deliver everything from bespoke bouquets brimming with tropical local flowers and flower archways to church ministers or civil servants. They’ll even serenade the couple with a ukulele if you like. Basically, if you can dream it for your big day, they can bring it to life here. 

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For travelers who have been dreaming about a tropical vacation in the South Pacific, Six Senses Fiji, is offering plenty of reasons to visit this exclusive resort, located on Fiji’s famous Malolo Island. And starting April 1, the resort’s employees will welcome guests back with a hearty “Bula!” 

It’s easy to feel at home in one of the resort’s 24 luxury villas, each with its own private deck and swimming pool. The two- to five-bedroom residences are ideal for families and friends traveling together and offer spacious accommodations with wonderful panoramas of the South Pacific. Villas include a fully equipped kitchen with outdoor seating and entertaining space for those warm al fresco evenings. Sixty luxury residences (two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom configurations) are currently in development averaging from 6,500- to 10,500-sq. ft. 

Dining at Six Senses Fiji exposes guests to the best of the South Pacific with dishes that are authentically local, sourced from local fisherman and farmers. The resort’s prized vegetable and herb garden inspires many of the dishes served in the three restaurants.

The crystal-clear blue waters just steps from the resort offer endless options for watersports including paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming, as well as surfing. In recent years, the resort has focused on coral replantation making it an excellent snorkeling site. Of course, the region is known for some of the best scuba diving with colorful corals, clownfish, lionfish, reef sharks, and more just a 10-minute boat ride away. Parents with young children are encouraged to get out and play as the resort offers eight hours of complimentary babysitting per day. 

Six Senses Spa Fiji, set within a jungle environment, is designed as a traditional Fijian village and invites guests to experience wellness treatments that go beyond the ordinary. The spa’s most popular treatment is the Fijian Bobo Massage, while other wellness programs focus on specific issues such as brain health, immunity, yoga, sleep, and Ayurvedic.

The resort’s accommodations and facilities are 100 percent solar powered, making it the largest microgrid in Fiji.

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Fiji has officially reopened its borders to international travelers and many are looking to make up for the lack of travel over the past two years. Passengers who are fully vaccinated and can provide a negative PCR test before departure can enjoy the lush, tropical beauty that Fiji has to offer once again

The VOMO Island Fiji resort is offering a variety of enticing packages to welcome visitors. This one-of-a-kind, secluded island paradise exudes the traditional Fijian ‘Bula’ spirit and is now offering unlimited, all-inclusive packages through the end of March 2022. 

Vomo Island Fiji is a deserted island escape perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway. From sunset sails to luxury dining at the adults-only Rocks Beach Club, the destination offers privacy in paradise. Guests can also opt for a private picnic on Vomo Lai Lai, a secluded, deserted island for the ultimate tête-à-tête.

Also a 5-star gold palm dive center, VOMO Island Fiji offers divers of any skill level the opportunity to explore the region’s pristine and world-famous reefs at their leisure. An exclusive dive package includes unlimited diving throughout guests’ stay as well as a licensed PADI certification course. 

Trek across Mt. Vomo at sunrise or take a private kayak or stand-up paddle board excursion across the crystalline blue waters of the ocean and experience nature unlike any other place in the world. VOMO’s expansive size and wide range of natural adventure make it the perfect playground for travelers of all ages.

Families traveling together can escape and recharge with total peace-of-mind with VOMO’s dedicated nanny available from 9AM to 9PM daily. Kids can also play in the Kids Village while parents get away for some much-needed solitude.

VOMO Island Fiji is also a member of the Mamanuca Environmental Society and has taken a plethora of measures to reduce the presence of single-use plastics and to promote sustainable consumption initiatives around the island. So, guests can feel good about visiting this luxe destination in so many ways.

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