With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I know that there are so many of us who won’t be able to celebrate our mother’s, mother figures, and the outstanding father’s who’ve played both Mom and Dad to us, in quite the same way this year.

With travel restrictions slowly lifting however, we can give the Gift of Reconnection in the form of a future travel certificate – and start thinking about the kind of travel that we can safely embark on as we enter our new normal way of life.
​
For those of us wanting to get back into the world and see new places or different scenery, but who are still wary of jumping right back into the fray of extensive multi-destination trips or mega-resorts, there are a number of smaller boutique and secluded style options available that are ideal to start. Let's explore a few of those today... ​

As summer living is in full swing, I am getting a lot of vacation requests - not sure if this is due to kids driving parents crazy now OR it's just the season :)  I'm receiving many inquiries for upcoming milestone anniversary and celebrations and the most common destination inquiry for these events is the dreamy islands of Tahiti.  I thought I would take this time to discuss other options for Tahiti for those that want to see many islands, but don't necessarily have the time or budget to island hop.
 
Tahiti is one of those utopia destinations that is incredibly popular, not only because year-round warm weather, but also the gorgeous surroundings, spectacular beaches, and the friendliest people you will ever meet!  The average year-round temperature is just 79 degrees. Couple that with the water temperature average of 79 in the winter and 84 in the summer, and you've got practically perfect vacation conditions. You will be embraced by Mana, the life force that connects all things in Tahiti, as soon as you arrive.  With 118 islands and atolls spread over five archipelagos, there is something new to experience at every turn. Each island offers a verity of activities and accommodation experiences, so if you're looking to explore the islands, and want to do it in a unique way, you might want to consider a Tahiti cruise!

On a Tahitian cruise, you'll get to see multiple destinations, and you'll travel aboard what is essentially a moving hotel – unpack once and explore the beauty around you!  Doesn't that sound just amazing?

Let's take a quick peek at some of the options for cruising Tahiti:
 
High-End Cruising Aboard a Luxury Liner
There's cruising, and then there is luxury cruising. When you're on a luxury liner you're treated like the VIP that you are. Once you step aboard, all of your meals and lodging are included, and some cruise lines offer extra perks like alcoholic beverages, a personal butler and/or private excursions. Just imagine visiting French Polynesia by day, and being waited on like the rich and fabulous by night!
 
One thing to note though, on some luxury liners, you will find these are more extended vacations that combine stops at several of the Tahitian islands, but starts or ends in destinations like New Zealand or Australia. If you have the time to spare, these are great cruises to see so much more than just a beach paradise. However, if you don’t have that much time to explore, there are dedicated cruise lines that only focus on the French Polynesia and some offer all-inclusive pricing with meals, drinks and entertainment all included!
 
Yachting from Island to Island
The difference between a large high-end cruise line and a yacht? The level of intimacy and the number of your fellow boating mates. Some of the larger lines can host as many as 3,000 guests, where as smaller yachts could be limited to 350 people, or even as little as two guests (some with a personal cook).
Smaller cruise boat options like yachts can also get into areas the larger boats can't, and this will give you the opportunity to do things like snorkeling in secluded spots, paddle boarding or kayaking in picturesque settings, or relaxing with little to no noise and slipping completely into vacation mode.
 
Low Key or Extreme Adventure
Regardless of whether you choose to go with a large liner or a small, intimate cruise, your Tahitian cruise can be what you want it to be. The options are truly limitless. You can choose casual, calm excursions intent on helping you relax. However, if you prefer a more extreme cruise experience, there are excursions such as swimming with sharks and sting rays, or intense rides on a 4X4 amidst sheer cliffs that get you up close to a volcano!
 
Your Cruise is What You Make It
Believe it or not, we've barely scratched the surface of the options available to you for cruising Tahiti. If you would like to learn more about the perfect cruise that fits your needs, call Destinations HD at (913) 244-9195. However you choose to island hop, we'll make sure your trip fulfills as many of your vacation dreams as possible.  Experiences Await...

Let me take you to paradise…

Right now, maybe you can feel the chill of the air outside your window.  Maybe you can’t seem to get warm or just miss the bright rays of sunshine.  Perhaps you have been working long, hard hours lately and ache for some downtime to rejuvenate.
 
Take a moment to dream.  Create the ultimate, romantic fantasy filled with crystal waters, white sand beaches and brilliant, tropical fish.  Come with me, let me take you to the Islands of Tahiti – which offers stunning natural beauty in every direction...

We’ll be taking the overnight flight to Tahiti from LA. The flight is only 2 hours longer than getting to Hawaii, and located in the same time zone as Hawaii, so no major jet leg issues for most of us.  Think of it as around the same amount of flight time to get to Europe, but with a very different payoff.  Do as I did and take a sleeping aid after take-off.  This way you will enjoy a full night sleep and wake as you arrive early morning, giving you a full day to enjoy paradise!

Tahiti is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and is the largest of the French Polynesian Islands.  And while Tahiti is a beautiful island with black-sand beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and adventure opportunities, it is not the remote place that most people imagine.  Of all the French Polynesian Islands it is the most urban, busy and populated.  Take advantage of this as you will soon be traveling on to some of the most remote resorts.

In Tahiti, ‘la ora na’ means hello and ‘nana’ means goodbye.  This is more than just fun-to-know information.  Proper greetings and friendliness are the way of life.  People are all about respect here.  Make eye contact, greet people, saying please and thank you is important.  Manners are everything and how you treat others will determine the level of attention you receive.

While we haven’t reached our gorgeous destination just yet, you can already feel your stress melting away and the ocean breezes calling your name.  Shop, dine, tour and relax. Visit the churches, museums and shops.  Spend the night or two here and you’ll be ready for the short island hop to pure bliss.

Touching down in Bora Bora you’ll find the island that most people envision when they think of the French Polynesian paradise.  The white beach, the tranquil lagoon, the brilliant tropical fish and the gorgeous huts atop the vivid, turquoise water.  All those pictures you’ve seen of the area?  Not even close to what you feel and see when you are actually here.  You will experience new flavors, sights, sounds and reconnect with yourself. You will find shades of turquoise you never knew existed.  The beauty is so breathtaking and surreal.

The views aren’t just in front of you, they are below you and above you – day and night.  The endless sky, the deep, lush green of the land and the bright aqua of the water flashing with colorful fish, the copious stars sparkling among the night sky – everything is simply awe-inspiring.

Will you snorkel and head to a motu for lunch today or maybe go swim with the gentle sharks and sting rays?  Will you paddle board or kayak in the clear waters as the sun browns your skin?  Or will you enjoy signature fine-dining as you gaze at the sea life through the glass floor?

You decide. This is your dream now.

Just remember, even your most vivid imagination won’t allow you to feel of the pure breeze, the warm, sun-drenched sand, the lavish vegetation and the serenity of your private bungalow atop the sensual, calm water.  With over 100 islands of Tahiti, there is something for everyone.  So when you’re ready, let me take you to paradise…  Call Destinations HD at (913) 244-9195!

Find more photos from my recent islands of Tahiti experience on Facebook.
Experiences Await...