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Spotlight: Turtle Inn, Belize

Turtle Inn is a seafront getaway that combines natural wonders with luxury style. The friendly, attentive staff, three restaurants, a rejuvenating spa and idyllic seafront setting make Turtle Inn a perfect glamping refuge.

The 25-rooms range from villas, cottages, and beach houses. The classic thatched cottages and bungalows make you feel right at home on the beach. All the accommodations are decorated with handcrafted Balinese furnishing. The continual sea breezes keep everything cool. And, just steps beyond your private deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into the clear Caribbean ocean.

The unique location provides a wealth of exciting activities. The coral reef just offshore offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba opportunities in the world. Troll, spin-cast, or drop-fish in some of the most populated waters in the Caribbean. Barracuda, king mackerel, snapper, grouper, tuna and snook are among the many species that thrive here. Inland hikes to hidden lagoons, canoe trips up the Monkey River and the short bicycle ride into town will also enrich guests’ experiences in this magical country.

turtle-inn-3Photo: Turtle Inn website

Turtle Inn’s dive shop can accommodate the needs of both beginner and experienced divers. The Caribbean’s largest barrier reef lies just offshore from Turtle Inn, offering divers a magnificent diversity of coral and marine life to explore. There are a number of easily accessible cayes (tiny islands) with their own reefs and underwater ecosystems. Turtle Inn is dedicated to providing the best diving experience possible, regardless of skill level. They offer tours and a wide range of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification courses. Visit the Dive Shop for a complete listing of our classes as well as some important information on diving tours and snorkeling options. Belize proudly maintains a reputation as one of the world’s best scuba destinations.

The best beach swimming in Belize is located in Placencia. The sandy beach and calm, clear waters create perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling as well as a host of other water-related adventures. Visit the Dive Shop for more information on renting sailing boats, snorkel gear, kayaks, and beach bicycles. Turtle Inn also has two infinity swimming pools, an oval-shaped infinity pool located between the Mare Restaurant and the Laughing Fish Bar and a triangular infinity pool with its striking ceramic turtle tiling and tranquil surroundings is located to the north of the property close to the Gauguin Grill.

turtle-inn-4Photo: Turtle Inn website

Dining open-air along the ocean’s shore is a feast for the senses. Savor fresh seafood and shellfish, the pure flavors of homegrown fruits and vegetables, or pizza from an authentic wood-burning oven. Then, relax with a cocktail at the seaside beach bar. Fresh seafood and traditional Italian cooking come together at Turtle Inn’s flagship restaurant, the Mare Restaurant. The Gauguin Grill features fresh, charcoal-grilled seafood including lobster, jumbo shrimp and snapper all served on woven plates accompanied by Balinese-inspired sauces. The Laughing Fish Bar provides a shady retreat to enjoy a wide selection of drinks. Bar stools sit directly on the golden-sand beach.

jpegPhoto: Turtle Inn Website

Turtle Inn’s history makes it a true labor of love. Less than a year after Francis and Eleanor Coppola acquired the beachside refuge in 2001, it was swept out to sea by the forces of Hurricane Iris. Turning disaster into triumph, the Coppolas led a two-year reclamation project, creating a magnificent resort that is consistently ranked among the best in Central and South America.

Learn more about vacationing here on the Turtle Inn website.

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Glamping in South America at Patagonia Camp

Patagonia Camp is situated just outside of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, which encompasses a vast array of lakes, rivers, glaciers and mountains.   Patagonia Camp’s philosophy is to protect the beautiful environment of this national park, and to minimally impact the varied and beautiful eco-systems present here.  Each structure that makes up Patagonia Camp, including the luxurious yurts, communal area, and walkways are built up on stilts to avoid damaging the plant life that has grown below for hundreds of years.   The camp also features a low-emission electric generator and a sophisticated waste water treatment system that returns water to the crystalline rivers and lakes completely pure.

Patagonia Camp has another philosophy – to provide their guests with total immersion in nature without foregoing luxury and comfort.  This philosophy is exemplified in each of the eighteen yurts, which have their own private bathrooms and luxuriously-appointed beds.  The yurts are decorated with woven fabrics and locally-handcrafted furniture.  Each yurt also boasts a private terrace, which is perfect for lounging and enjoying one of Patagonia Camp’s famed pisco sours after a day of hiking and sight-seeing.  (Pisco is a type of grape brandy typically produced in the winemaking regions of Peru and Chile.)

 

Patagonia Camp is ideally situated to provide their guests with easy access to one of nature’s most beautiful playgrounds, Torres del Paine National Park.  The design of Patagonia Camp pays special attention to this fact, making sure to display its greatest asset at every opportunity.  Guests can enjoy lying back in their plush beds to a breathtaking view of the sparkling waters of Lake Toro and the impressive peaks of the Paine Massif.  In the dining room, the tables are situated right next to the large picture windows so that guests can gaze out at the magnificent landscape.

 

Guests of Patagonia Camp can experience guided group treks to explore the breathtaking national park.  Guests can also fish in the nearby streams in hopes of catching one of the native salmon or trout, or to explore the local trails on mountain bikes.  Kayaks and canoes are available as well for paddling on Lake Toro.

Meals at Patagonia camp reflect the traditional cuisine of Chile.  The dishes are often imaginative and feature fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, thoughtfully prepared to be delicious and healthful.  A different dinner menu is available nightly, and often features slow-roasted lamb, or southern hake.   Hearty box lunches are provided so that guests can be enjoy them while out on excursions.

 

Patagonia Camp is located at what many call “the end of the world,” referring to Patagonia’s geographical location at the southern tip of South America.  Guests should be prepared for an excursion of a lifetime.  They’ll experience the best that glamping has to offer – an immersive experience in an amazing, natural environment complete with a warm shower and a comfortable bed to retire to at the end of the day.

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8 Chillest Glamping Locations in the World

By Sarah Esterman

Glamping (that’s glamorous camping if you haven’t heard of it) is becoming more and more popular. Combining a camping trip with a little extra luxury can make for a relaxing vacation—especially when you find the perfect spot to hang your hammock.

So when you start planning your glamping trip, be sure to look into these locales.

Treehouse Lodge Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Each of the treehouse units includes a comfy room with a veranda, fan, private bath, and yes, you guessed it: a hammock. They sit along the edge of the water, deep in jungle, high above the ground supported by stilts (necessary thanks to the flood season). There are plenty of activities to participate in too, including picnics in the jungle, canoeing, tree climbing, alligator spotting and more.

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Cabaña Suites, Costa Rica

Unless you stay in the Canopy Honeymoon Suite or one of the Jungle View Rooms, be sure to pack your own hammock—and you’ll definitely want to considering the incredible views here. Be sure to treat yourself to a massage or go on one of the excursions, like a horseback ride or the tropical canyon tour.

 

Safari Tents at the Turquoise Mediterranean, Southern Turkey

On the hillside of the Baba mountains, when you stay here you’ll have amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea no matter where you stand in your glam tent. Each tent is complete with a bedroom, bathroom, veranda, hot tub, air conditioning, and yes, a hammock, so you can kick back and enjoy the view.

 

Safari Tents in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa

In the middle of the mountains on the Limpopo Province of South Africa, this glamping location has the option to spend the night in their hammock camps. Hammock camping, stargazing, bird watching—it all adds up to make a great getaway.

 

Dancing With Trees, Georgia

Treetop camping is awesome. Treetop camping in a suspended canvas hammock? Incredible. And there’s even a continental breakfast up in the trees.

 

Baja Camp, Mexico

Located on the Island of Espiritu Santo off the coast of Baja California, this glampsite is reachable by a 2=hour boat ride and each visit only includes up to 10 people at a time. Besides the beach, kayaking, fresh fish and spacious tents, you’ll get ultimate relaxation by kicking back in your beachside hammock.

 

Safari Tents Atop the Ridge, Texas

An outdoor shower, a Japanese-style Ofuru soaking tub and outdoor veranda complete with a fire pit, and, yes, hammocks—this is a gorgeous retreat atop a 300-foot ridge overlooking Lone Man Creek.

 

Corcovado Lodge, Costa Rica

The largest building in the Corcovado Lodge is the Hammock House. Yes, you read that right: a hammock house. Complete with a bar, a roomy deck and several lounging hammocks you can enjoy your drink and great view in.