Tahiti fam trip Nov 27 - Dec 8th

I just returned from a fantastic Tahiti agents trip hosted by Patricia Fargeon at Planet Tahiti/ Planet France and Roger Berube of Club Aventure. We were a small group of three agents, two photographers/photojournalists and two hosts. As many were from a french background, I had a chance to try and dredge my high school french from the dungeons of my mind - it was great to know I understood quite a lot even though I could not speak it.
We started on the island of Tahiti - arriving into Papeete where we stayed for one night. Most flights arrive late at night, so a hotel close to the airport is key. We stayed at the Sofitel a quick drive from the airport and with an easy check in.
We had a wonderful breakfast the next morning and then were off to visit the Manava Suites. This hotel is just two years old; it is a little further from the airport, but it has great views over to Moorea and nice contemporary Polynesian style suites with kitchen facilities. It is a great place for families or couples wanting  to save a bit on food costs and there is a supermarket very close by. There is also good dining on site which is open until late.
Next we went over to the Radisson Resort and Spa; it is on the  north end of the city on a black sand beach. It is also  modern polynesian style with many different room types to fit various clients needs. After touring the rooms, we were hosted for an amazing lunch.
Both the Manava and the Radisson are popular with the islanders as they offer some great specials for them and for us tourists.

Sofitel on arrival - ready for Christmas 

Manava Suites pool - view to Moorea

Radisson Tahiti - view from a suite

Culmination of a fantastic lunch

Tahiti, Caribbean, Central America; here are some winter vacation ideas.

If you have not yet booked your winter escape it is not too late, but do it soon -the special offers are expiring by the day. Can’t decide where or when to go? Here are a few suggestions. Your interests, who you are travelling with and how long you can afford to be away will influence where and how you go.

Club Med – Has refurbished and updated many of their resorts to appeal to a more contemporary, style conscious consumer. The most recent update is Sandpiper Resort in Florida; due to reopen in December it will offer professionally staffed golf and tennis academies and a big new spa facility.

There are adult only resorts in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (not renovated but great deals to be had here); family friendly resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic; romantic resorts in Thailand, Bali, Indonesia and the Maldives; ski resorts in Europe and finally the Club Med II sailing ship plying Caribbean waters in winter and European waters in summer. Club Med really does have something to offer everyone.

Disney and Disney cruises – Disney recently launched their new Dream ship and while I am not a fan of big cruise ships (anything over 700 people in my books) this promises to be quite the adventure filled cruise ship with many interesting innovations to captivate young and old alike. Disney is fun for everyone (come on admit it!) so it is a great choice for multi generational holidays. With all the special offers and the new Harry Potter theme park this is a holiday which will thrill just about everyone.

There is such a great variety of accommodation on offer you can make this a luxury or a value holiday. Florida is so close and with daily flight options you can go for a long weekend or longer.

Caribbean – Cruise or land there are many choices:

 Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Turks and Caicos for beaches;

St Lucia, Dominica, Guadeloupe; Grenada; Trinidad and Tobago for nature;

Barbados, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, St Maarten/Martin for nightlife and highlife;

The Virgin Islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Bahamas – get away from the crowds and go sailing - bareboat or charter.

Central America – These countries have so much to offer but in particular –

Costa Rica, Panama and Belize for flora and fauna; Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua for history and culture;

If you have more time head further south to Brazil, Peru, Chile or Argentina for a dynamic, fun, culturally rich adventure.

Tahiti –North American winter is low season in Tahiti, so it offers good value and no crowds during our peak travel season.  To make it cost-effective and all-inclusive I recommend you do a cruise – Paul Gauguin has free air, family and group specials. Earlier bookings get the best prices and choice of cabins.

March Break perfection!

If you’ve got a few weeks then head down under to New Zealand or Australia – there’s an adventure waiting for you!

Ontario travels

My husband and I loaded up the truck and hit the road again September 22nd.

We left Oakville about 4 p.m. which is normally rush hour so we chose to take the back roads on our way to Fergus. Straight up Bronte road (25) then a zigzag through Rockwood and we were in Fergus by 5 p.m. It was a lovely, quiet and picturesque route.

We booked into the VanGalis Cafe and Inn in the heart of town. Bought and lovingly restored by two girlfriends, Janette and Reina,  a few years back, you can see the process in their photo album and the black and white photos on the walls of the cafe taken by a local photographer (visit her studio just up the street).

There are just two rooms above the cafe. We took the large room at the back of the house complete with mini-fridge, air-conditioner, fireplace, full bath, king bed, T.V. and leather sofa. Two side windows let in lots of light but little noise. Breakfast consists of yummy baking, great coffee and smoothies among other offerings. They are open for lunch daily and dinner some evenings with monthly theme nights.

Fergus is a great place to stop to check out local food products. Best Baa Farms has their Ewenity dairy shop here for cheeses yogurt and ice cream. Fraberts in the old market building sells local meats (Harriston and Hav a Heart are two notables), produce and cheeses as well as Fraberts prepared foods and baked goods.

There are a number of pubs and restaurants to choose from; we chose the Breadalbane Inn for a beer in the pub and then the restaurant for steak frites – “Hav a Heart” beef and local potatoes – yum! They have a very good wine list.

On Thursday we drove over to Elora (about  5 minutes away) for a night at the Elora Mill Inn. We had a nice big room overlooking the river.  Their executive chef, Brian McLeod, left recently and opened his own restaurant up the street – Cork. We had dinner there and the food was very good.

Breakfast was included at the Inn, but I don’t recommend the brioche French toast – stick with eggs and bacon. The Inn has new ownership and will close for renovations in the New Year. They have the most wonderful location; they just need to put some money into it.

Elora is a touristy town, but it has its charms particularly the location on the river. There is lots of shopping to be done here, but beware of shop hours (they vary and aren’t always posted) and the possibility of groups taking over....

We ended out tour in Waterloo to visit our son.  Grabbed a basic clean room at the Destination Inn and had a fantastic dinner at Nick and Nat’s Uptown 21. Not sure that was fair for our son who had to go back to his own cooking and university options. Ah well – that’s life, Eh?

Kittenz ! ah I wish I was a cat - particularly on a rainy Monday!

Fall – is a Nice Time to Travel Locally

You may have been thinking of taking a vacation to some exotic locale such as Chile, New Zealand, Thailand or even closer to home – the UK and Europe. But if you read the newspaper you will have noticed the earthquakes, floods, illness, strikes and civil unrest – so many things that could spoil your hard earned vacation.The good news is there are excellent alternatives to exotic vacations right here in our backyard; our dollar is strong and there are some great deals to be found on both sides of the border.

Within a day’s drive, train ride (Via!) or a short flight (fly Porter!) you can be in one of many great North American cities - Chicago, Boston, New York, Montreal, Quebec City – the list goes on. All you need to do is choose based on your interests, budget, time frame and travel mode.

As in the grand cities of Europe, there is so much to explore and the best way to do this is to walk. This gives you a great sense of a place, plus you discover great little places to stop for a snack, a latte or local speciality; to buy groceries, wine and locally crafted beers.  Just remember to pack your walking shoes, sunscreen and hat and don’t worry about looking like a tourist. If you get tired you can grab the subway or a cab. In many cities there are wonderful bike trails or bike lanes which make taking or renting a bike a great option for exercise and sightseeing. The cooler weather is much more comfortable for biking too.

 Make sure your hotel has a spa onsite or nearby to work out the aches after your excursions. Plan to get to a favourite gallery or museum when it has an interesting show. Pre-purchase your theatre or concert tickets, so you get decent seats to the performance you want.  If you have children - take them. With a little tweaking, the big city is terrific vacation idea for the entire family.

I am doing a lot of this type of travel these days. I joined my husband at the last minute on his business trip to Boston – we drove. I packed up my laptop and files, forwarded my calls to my cell and hit the road. We stayed in the Back Bay area which is just off the freeway and offered easy access to all the city amenities.  We stayed in Utica on the way down and Syracuse on the return – so the drive was very manageable. We walked, shopped, visited the sights, took photos, ate seafood and had some wine. We had a great time away from the stress of home and office, but were always connected to both.

We just returned from a three night stay in Prince Edward County which is challenging Niagara on the Lake as the Ontario wine, culinary and arts destination. There are lots of quiet back roads for biking and of course Sandbanks for the beach and dunes. We had not been back since 2002 and we were so pleasantly engaged by what was happening here. I will be going back for sure!

In a few days I am heading up to the Elora, Fergus and St. Jacobs area; another foodie region which I have not been to in a long while. There are lots of restaurants, galleries, farms, etc to visit. Check my blog later for a report on this trip.

These destinations are all great for special interest groups such cycling, hiking, knitting, photography, cooking, book clubs – any interest group suits.

For individual, couples, families or group travel arrangements call or email me.

Please remember when you are planning your travels.  We as humans think we can control everything but we can’t control Mother Nature (or human nature) – so be prepared; travel safe and travel smart. Happy trails..... Judi

And then there is Charlie - just kind of there, right by my chair not really doing much but looking sad and making me feel guilty. But then someone comes to the door or he thinks someone is there and he barks like there is no tomorrow. Let me tell you his bark does not match his size. If only he could  learn he just needs to bark when there is a threat - not when the kids or mailman comes to the door - he might be a good watch dog!.

curiosity and the cat

Silly Kittenz ...... got herself caught in the fireplace screen. This is the kind of distraction that comes with working at home.

Tahiti dreaming - Marquesa and Tuamotu islands

In March of 2009 I was invited to attend an Agent Conference in Tahiti and I jumped at the chance to return to this idyllic island destination. Tahiti has been my dream destination since I was a teen and I had not been back since 2004. I was not disappointed!


On this visit I travelled to Hiva Oa in the Marquesas and Fakarava in the Tuamotus. Flying into Hiva Oa is breathtaking – it is a beautiful, lush, green, high island with a jagged coastline and crashing waves. The airport is situated on a high plateau which at times is engulfed in fog or clouds.


• Intimate Tahitian Setting •

The island road is very good from the airport to the hotel, the Hanakee Pearl Lodge, and the town of Atuona, but the final approach to the hotel is a very steep drive – something to keep in mind if you decide to go for a stroll into town. The Hanakee Pearl lodge is an intimate hotel with a wonderful setting perched on the hillside overlooking the mountains and the ocean.


Although the island road is rough and narrow, it affords spectacular views. Leave your nerves in your room and take some gravol! This is the island that Belgian singer Jacques Brel and French artist Paul Gauguin called home. In the main town of Atuona, you will find the town cemetery where both Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel are buried.
• Art, History & Culture of the Marquesas •

The Paul Gauguin centre is here as well and is a recommended stop. It is a museum dedicated to Gauguin’s art and life and there is a reproduction of Gauguin’s “House of Pleasure” on site as well. Behind these buildings you will find a building dedicated to Brel, which also holds the airplane he used to fly to Tahiti and back.


There are also several archaeological sites worth visiting on the island. The Taaoa Valley, on the west side of Atuona, has many sites one of which has been restored.

The highlight is the day excursion to Paumau. It is on the northeast of the island where there is a restored temple and ceremonial ground. This is an interesting and worthwhile excursion which includes lunch at Marie Antoinette’s, a “unique” island restaurant which serves local specialities. On the way back you will stop at a beautiful beach for a swim in warm water. As you drive around the island you will see Marquesan horses, the odd wild pig, wild goats and chickens and if you look down as the road travels high above the ocean you may be lucky enough to see schools of Manta Rays feeding in the water.


If you have the chance, go for a horseback ride with guide “Paco” on one of his small, sure-footed horses. His stable is by the airport.


The next stop for me was Fakarava in the Tuamotus. These island atolls are the oldest group of islands in the Tahitian islands - they are just a coral reef surrounding a beautiful lagoon. Fakarava is part of a Unesco designated biosphere. The water is clear and full of many types of fish, the beaches are soft and white and the sunsets are spectacular. It is a wonderfully relaxing place to visit.


• Crystal Waters of the Tuamotus •

Le Maitai Dream Fakarava is the only hotel on the island, but there are several pensions (B and B’s) and local restaurants on the island. The big draw on the Tuamotus is diving, snorkelling and fishing. There are lagoon excursions and pearl farm visits, you can rent a motor scooter or bicycle and explore the island and the little town. My favourite activity, however, is just hanging out in the lagoon with the fish or on the beach with a good book.


• Top Tips for an Unforgettable Tahiti Holiday •

#1 – Search out internet cafes – in most cases they are much cheaper than what the hotels charge. There are a few cafes in the centre of town that are very reasonable.


# 2 - When travelling to the more remote islands, be prepared for the unexpected. Some food and drink may be out of stock, so menu items may be unavailable. Everything comes by boat once or twice a week at best. Excursions are subject to the weather and water conditions and minimum number of people. It really helps to know a little French especially in the more remote areas, so bring your vocabulary book.
Tahiti is an outstanding, beautiful, safe and comfortable destination! All you need do is relax and enjoy the peace and beauty that Tahiti offers – her islands and her people.

Anguilla - a Caribbean paradise revisited.

Anguilla is a small, quiet island - all of 16 x 3 miles with a population of under 14,000 permanent residents. Lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands it is just a 20 minute ferry ride from St Maarten/St Martin - which for Canadians is the best access point as we have good airlift into St. Maarten. You can either book a private ferry which goes from the dock by the airport or take a taxi to the French side and take the public ferry. The second option is more time consuming but cheaper. Another option and comparable in cost of the private ferry, is to take the seven minute flight (easy and seamless way to go - picturesque and fun too!). There are a few operators who do this run - we used Anguilla Air Services and I can recommend them with confidence.


Anguilla is an unspoiled gem in the Caribbean. There are no crowds, casinos or cruise ships to be found on its shores, but those are not far away if you crave them - just a quick trip to St Martin/Maarten or St Barts will give you the fix you need. The island does however have 33 soft white sand beaches to explore, gourmet dining, tennis, golf, bird watching, hiking and biking and all the wonders of the sea to explore. Saba is nearby and offers great eco-tour and scuba options as an add on.


Anguilla is the perfect spot for families and friends or couples looking to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon or anniversary. There is an amazing selection of villa rentals - from small, moderate cottages to grand, ultra-luxurious homes with all the modern amenities and services found at home including nannies and private chefs.

The island has unique small resorts to suit every style and budget most of which have fabulous beaches and facilities such as spa, tennis, fitness and water sport activities. If you are into food and wine this is the spot for you - there are now about 100 restaurants on the island from five star gourmet to beach bar casual. There is also the opportunity to engage in cooking classes and wine tasting.

I toured more of the resorts and villas and I tried some new restaurants and bars on my return visit to the island, so I have first hand knowledge and contacts to make informed recommendations for clients.


For nightlife you can head to one of the local bars or clubs in the Valley, at Sandy Ground or one of many resorts or other beach-side restaurants. Or you can search out famous local musician Bankie Banx - holding court at his "island rustic" beach bar. There are special music events like Moonsplash in March, the Jazz festival in November and the Reggae festival in December.

Anguillans are known for their boat building and sailing skills and these are on display throughout the year, but particularly during the boat races held in the spring and summer months. There are various other celebrations, festivals and contests throughout the year.


The Greg Norman golf course is open and is being managed by Cap Juluca; they are offering incredible rates for a course of this caliber - my son was in heaven! There is a world class tennis facility near the Valley and is available for use by visitors without on-site access to tennis.

Viceroy, Malliouhana, Cap Juluca, Cuisinart, Carimar and Frangipani among other resorts and many villas are offering amazing specials this summer and fall. Contact me for details!