Thursday, November 28, 2013

Honeymoon destinations: Komandoo Maldives Island Resort



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 Honeymoon in your own private paradise at Komandoo Maldives Island Resort. Start your happily-ever-after basking in the beauty of this romantic archipelago with crystal-clear water and pristine white beaches.

 In this adults-only resort's overwater bungalows, you'll be in a world of your own with the ocean on your doorstep.



Set amid a beautiful lagoon with a one-kilometer stretch of sandy beach, Komandoo is an adult-only island retreat with a tranquil atmosphere.


A recently renovated boutique-style resort, it offers light and spacious beachfront rooms, an infinity swimming pool overlooking the beach and a choice of dining including the main restaurant, Falhu, with its deck over the water, live cooking station and sumptuous buffet options. On Lhaviyani Atoll's north-west reef, Komandoo has a house reef and there are over 45 fantastic dive sites within an hour's boat ride.


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thanksgiving in Paris


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We are continuing introducing the best of the best tour companies around the world.
Today we are featuring one of the best tour company in Paris, Unique Paris

Here is their sample itinerary for a 3-Day stay in Paris for 4 persons
Day 1 – Thanksgiving Day
- Morning: Arrival in Paris at CDG Airport
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel – the driver will meet right after custom clearance with a sign bearing your name. This costs 120 EUR
- Afternoon: 3.5-Hour Private Essential driving tour to discover the main highlights of Paris. This includes: Ile de la Cité (including Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Luxembourg Gardens, Pantheon, Tuileries Gardens, Louvre from outside, Concorde Square, Champs Elysées, Arch of Triumph, Eiffel Tower from downstairs, etc). This tour will give you a nice overview of the city.
This costs 410 EUR for the group


 Alternative: 4-Hour Private Overview Walking tour to discover some of the main highlights:Incl. the Ile de la Cité (including the Sainte Chapelle, the Palace of Justice, the Conciergerie, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Flower Market, the Hotel Dieu Hospital), the Ile Saint Louis, the Samaritaine, the Louvre, the Palais Royal, the Tuileries Gardens, the Vendome Square, the Concorde Square, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the most famous bridges (Pont Neuf, Pont Au Change, Pont des Arts, Pont Alexandre III). This will give a nice idea of the city flair.

This costs 350 EUR for the group
- Late Afternoon: Climb up to the top of the Eiffel tower (with the elevator and no lines) - Go to the North or East Pillar to the purple flag “Acces avec Reservations” – you have a 30min slot to enter the Tower, then you can stay as long as you want This costs 78 EUR for your party – skip the line tickets


- Traditional Thanksgiving dinner (not included but reservation can be made)

Day 2 - Friday
- Morning: Half Day private guided visit of Versailles to visit the main castle and some of the gardens with your own private guide, private transportation and tickets. Meeting place: at your address.
This costs 600 EUR for the group


- Afternoon: 2-Hour private walking tour of Montmartre to discover this neighborhood where you will be staying the week. This is the artist neighborhood, which a village flair.
Meeting place: by the stairs of the metro station Anvers
This costs 250 EUR



Alternative: 2-Hour private guided tour of the Orsay museum to discover the world of impressionists.
Meeting place: at the museum under the Rhinoceros statue
This costs 296 EUR for the group incl. skip the line tickets

- Romantic Dinner cruise on the Seine
Yachts de Paris, the best one and the most exclusive of the river cruises in Paris, 3-hour of cruise with a gastronomic dinner incl. drinks 249 EUR/pers. – only 15 tables on the boat – romantic setting and cosy atmosphere
Bateaux Parisiens: a large boat, front seating for a 3-hour cruise, incl. also a gastronomic dinner, this costs 195 EUR/pers
A shorter cruise only 2 hours on the same boat, nice food, costs 79 EUR/pers

Day 3 - Saturday
- Morning: 2-Hour private guided Visit of the Louvre with your own English speaking licensed guide to discover the masterpieces (Mona Lisa, Venus of Milo and Victory of Samothrace) along with the other major paintings of the museum. This includes the entrance tickets. This costs 308 EUR for the group incl. skip the line tickets



- Morning/Lunch: 2-5 Hour Private walking Gourmet tour: Our Foodie expert is passionate with food in all its forms. He is a true insider about the food sphere in Paris: he knows the best bakeries, pastry shops, chocolate makers, wine shops, cheese mongers, food stalls, restaurants, bars, cafés etc. He will bring you around the best addresses in St Germain des Prés district and will explain you with passion why Paris is one of the world's best place to eat. "Meilleur Ouvrier de France", "Ganache", "Combawa", "Paris-Brest": you will learn to understand what is behind
these French words and why they are a testimony of the highest food quality. Embark on our 3-hour Gourmet Tour and discover St Germain des Prés as a district: its legendary cafés, squares, shops, little stories, etc are included in this food splurge as well.
This costs 120 EUR/ pers so 480 EUR for the group
- Late afternoon: 2-Hour private wine and cheese Tasting in a cosy wine shop to learn all about the French wines and the different regions, while tasting some delicious cheeses. This costs 105 EUR/pers so 420 EUR for the group



Monday, November 25, 2013

3 days in Moscow


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Here is a tentative three-day itinerary in Moscow. We  designed it for two adults and a 10 year old child.

Day 1

10.00-13.30 City tour by car. During this tour you'll see the most famous Moscow sights, such as Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre, KGB building, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow University, Novodevichy Convent. It will include a visit to St. Basil's Cathedral (the inside).
13.30 - 14.30 Time for lunch
15.00 - 17.15 Visit to the Tretyakov Art Gallery, museum of the national Russian art
18.00 - back to the hotel
Guide's service from 10.00 to 18.00
Driver's service from 10.00 to 18.00



Day 2


9.30 -13.00 Visit to the Kremlin museums. It will include a visit to the Armoury Chamber, museum based on royal treasury. You'll also visit a number of famous Kremlin cathedrals and explore the grounds of the Kremlin
13.30 -14.30 Time for lunch
14.50 -15.50 Metro tour
15.50 - 16.50 Visit to Arbat Street
17.30- back to the hotel by metro
Guide's service from 9.30 to 17.30
No car on this day. I suggest using metro to move around the city.


Day 3

10.00 -12.00 Visit to the Museum of Leo Tolstoy
12.30 -13.30 Time for lunch
14.00 - 15.30 Visit to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts (Impressionists collection)
16.30 - back to the hotel
Guide's service from 10.00 to 16.30.
No car on this day. I suggest using metro to move around the city.

The cost of a three-day itinerary is 1450 US dollars. It includes entrance tickets to museums, metro tickets, the guide’s service and the driver’s service on the first day.









St. Petersburg, Russia - 3 day itinerary


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St.Petersburg, Russia - 3 day itinerary
Our tours in Russia are conducted by Best Guides Group





Day 1

10.00 meeting at the hotel
10.00-14.00 city tour with inside visit to Peter and Paul Fortress (Cathedral + Former Political prison + "secret" under group pass  ), Log house of Peter the Great and Log house of Peter the Great
14.00-15.00 lunch time
15.00-18.00 Hermitage Museum general tour
Guide service: 10.00-18.00
Car with a driver: 10.00-14.00
Cost: 14600 rub (about 470 US $)
 

Day 2

9.45 meeting at the pie (in front of the Hermitage museum)
10.00-10.30 hydrofoil to Peterhof
11.00 ceremonial starting of the fountains
11.00-13.00 tour of the Low Park, all most famous fountains are included + inside visit to one of the small palaces
13.00-13.30 hydrofoil back to the city
13.30-15.00 lunch time + taxi drive or public transport or just walk to the Usupov Palace
15.00-17.00 tour of the Usupov Palace
17.00-18.00 St. Isaac's Cathedral
Guide service: 10.00-18.00
No car for the day
Cost: 16000 rub (about 520 US $)



 

Day 3

10.00 meeting at the hotel
10.00-11.00 drive to Pushkin
11.00-13.00 Catherin palace + short walk in the gardens
13.00-15.00 drive back with the inside visit to the Siege museum on the way
15.00-16.00 lunch time
16.00-17.00 Spilt Blood Cathedral
17.00-18.00 boat trip along rivers and canals  (group boat)
Guide service: 10.00-15.00
Car with a driver: 10.00-17.00
Cost: 15500 rub (about 495 US $)



The itinerary is quite intensive and includes several children friendly options - secret pass in the fortress, Log house of Peter the Great, hydrofoil and boat tour, Peterhof gardens.  We can make it lees intensive and less expensive at the same time.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Riviera Maya Jazz Festival 2013

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Looking forward to come down to the Caribbean this winter? Do you love jazz? Then you should be because the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is back in Playa del Carmen, at its usual location in trendy Mamitas Beach Club, dressing the popular beach with a 50-meter long stage and space for over 25,000 attendees who will enjoy a touch of heaven while listening to some of the most awarded jazz bands under the starry skies of the Riviera Maya.

None less than Earth, Wind and Fire will be in charge of closing down the festival this time. This Grammy-awarded American band has been delighting the public with their eclectic style that takes from jazz, soul, funk, rock, African and gospel from the early 70’s and that will be performing their newest album released this year “Now, Then and Forever” to their fans.
But there will be much more to look forward at the festival and you can expect high standard performances from the other participants that include Aguamala, Brent Fischer and Allan Holdsworth on the opening evening (to whet your appetite); the instrumental mastery of Scott Henderson, Dennis Chambers, Jeff Berlin, Jim Beard and Ed Motta who will perform their magic on stage on the 29th, while Celso Piña and Matthew Garrison will precede the final wrap-up party with Earth, Wind and Fire.events mamitas beach
The organizers have made a huge effort and an investment of nearly a million dollars to make sure the festival is a success again. Doesn’t it sound like music to your ears already? Well, and how if we tell you that the whole festival will be available to you for free? The generous cooperation of several sponsors has made this event possible once more, and all they need now is our eager presence.

What are you waiting for? Hurry and make your flight bookings; find the perfect apartment for your stay and come down to Playa del Carmen for an unforgettable feast for the senses. Playa is a cosmopolitan destination in the Caribbean shores that already provides its recurrent visitors with all the tropical hedonism they like, and how could it get any better than with a world-class jazz festival on the beach?
The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is in its eleventh edition this year and has steadily climbed up the ladder of fame to be among the ten best jazz festivals of the world. Check their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RMJazzFestival for last-minute information but they are well and ready to welcome you to the biggest party in Playa this fall. Select your best beach attire and shine on at this year’s Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, you never know who may be taking pictures for the international mass media!

Cappadocia: Featured tour company - Euphrates Tours


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In early October our clients took two day Cappadocia tour with Euphrates Tours.
It was the best decision they made! Clients could not be happier with the service and attention they received from Euphrates Tours. Everyone was warm and wonderful. They offer a personalized quality experience so you will not be disappointed

Itinerary

5 OCTOBER – ISTANBUL - CAPPADOCIA: KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY (L)
Arrival and meeting at the airport just outside the arrival's gate with a sign bearing your name and transfer to Cappadocia and tour to Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the "table top" mountains, are spectacular. Lunch and Visit to Sahinefendi ( Sobesos )- Sobessos, newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses & Archaeological excavation site. Continue with Keslik Monastery near Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer which we can only see by torch light. Our tour finishes with a visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture. Overnight Cappadocia


6 OCTOBER - CAPPADOCIA: GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM & FAIRY CHIMNEYS (L)
RECOMMENDED!!!!
** Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia

Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:30am
After breakfast, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Pasabag near Zelve ; "fairy chimneys" where the voice of wind mixes with the "songs of fairies". Lunch in Avanos, centre of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

8 saving tips for your vacation


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When most people go for vacation first and foremost they are looking for great vacation EXPERIENCE. I see that almost no one remembers precise amount of money spent. 3, 5, 10 years after vacation is over all they remember is whether they had great time or not.
Having said this I truly believe that money is still important hen going for vacatio.
Here are some savings tips.

1. Book as early as possible
I know that it is not always realistic to know when you are going for vacation. However if you have a chance to plan early do it!
For example, I had clients who booked one week of Club Med Yucatan for family of 4 in June for the following March, 10 months in advance. They paid $3,700 for Club Med including direct airfare from New York. The same vacation package on semi-annual sale 6 months later was more than $1,000 more.  There are many clients who book Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations back in May, summer vacations in November and so on.

2. Have vacation off-season
If you take your vacation off-season and avoid peak travel time you can save significant amount of money. Try traveling to Caribbean in early December, to Europe in spring time, Disney World early December or January after school starts.

3. Avoid flying on weekends
In many instances if you fly, for example, on Saturdays you will pay premium prices compared when flying mid week.

4. Fly with stop-overs
I know that most people like to fly direct and don't consider flying with stop overs. However it may be a very good alternative if you would like to be on the budget. We have three kids and travel with them a lot. Even though we always consider direct flight options first, in many instances we don't mind to fly with stop overs. Basically it is a trade off whether we want to pay, let's say $200 per ticket, or go to nicer resort.

5. Look for 'deals'
Yes - 'deals' exist and Yes - you can save some money. But then to get it right you need to follow various deals like watching stock market. It can go up and down at any moment. If you enjoy doing so, then sure it can be a viable option. If you want to take vacation not at the ideal resort or cruise, but only at those that gives you the best deal, sure you can do it as well. I always go other way around. First I choose destination/resort/cruise experience that works for us and then look how to make it within our budget.

6. Book hotels with an option to cancel before arriving
Very frequently when going to some touristy destinations such as Rome, Paris, London it makes sense to reserve what you like and very close to your budget and then rebook it if you find that yours or similar hotel becomes cheaper. At the least you have guarantees that you have a nice hotel to stay. Otherwise, if you wait for a 'deal', it may happen that there are no available hotels and you overpay and/or stay in less desirable hotel.

7. Book your tours while at home
You can argue that you can book your tours from locals and it will be cheaper. Yes - it is true, you can book while on vacation and it maybe cheaper. However at that time you have limited control what tours to choose and it might be more expensive. The major reason why I like booking it while at home because I want to do my homework and first and foremost find best tour guides.

8. Do minimal grocery shopping while on vacation
I totally understand that when you are going on vacation you don't want to burden yourself with grocery shopping. However you might save a lot if you do even minimal grocery shopping. For example, when eating out in  Turks and Caicos is very expensive to say the least. If you get cereal, bagels, fruit, juice boxes and snacks for your kids it will help your wallet.


Now enjoy and have some fun! :)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Club Med Cancun

Club Med Cancun Yucatan has arguably the best location in Cancun, with 22 acres and its own peninsula at the south end of the Hotel Zone. Club Med has a sweep of white-sand beaches (with a view of Cancun hotels all in a row), and round point (Punta Nizuc), a private stretch of seaside with snorkeling, as well as a further beach area with watersports. The resort also has a lagoon side!

A highlight for families at Club Med resorts are the kids programs. Say good-bye to kids clubs with video screens; programs are more like camps- active and geared to teaching; their trapeze is a specialty! For tweens and teens, Passworld is a cool place to hang out, with teen-friendly activities like DJ mixing and hip-hop dance. 

History of Club Med:
Club Med is a unique brand of all inclusive resorts that started in 1950 as a tent-village on a Mediterranean beach. Since then, Club Med has worldscaled and upscaled to 80 resorts in 25 countries.


Interestingly, some basics have remained. From the start, Club Med "villages" had "G.M.'s" and "G.O.'s": G.M.'s are the guests (Gentil membres, or "gracious members") ; and G.O.'s are the staff (gentils organisateurs, or "gracious organizers.") Both groups socialize together which makes for a friendly ambiance. Visitor reviews tend to rave about the enthusiastic and outgoing G.O.'s.


Club Med Cancun Yucatan: Features
After its $24M renovation following Hurricane Wilma, Club Med Cancun Yucatan has:
  • programs for families ( - it was formerly adults-only)
  • chic lounge areas by the pool with canopied day beds
  • "Jade Villa" concierge building with extra amenities
  • seaside La Cazuela restaurant with a la carte dining; La Hacienda, with multiple dining rooms; "snack bar" that's more like an attractive lounge
Trapeze area and full-size theater remain signature features at Club Med.
  • at the beach, lessons windsurfing, sailing (single hull and catamaran)
  • on the lagoon side, lessons in waterskiing and wakeboarding (ages 18 and up)
  • lessons in tennis, trapeze
  • beach volleyball, soccer, fitness center, outdoor yoga by the beach, salsa dancing, more
  • at an extra charge: scuba, golf and more
Snorkeling: just offshore is the start of the second-largest coral barrier reef in the world; not the greatest snorkeling at that particular spot, but very convenient. With kids, off-shore snorkeling is much preferred, so they can sample as little or as much as they like. (With paid snorkeling tours, it's all too easy to waste money because the weather gets cloudy or one of the kids gets water up their nose.) Snorkeling gear is available free of charge.


Theater: performances include shows put on by the GO's; professional folklorico dancers; weekly mini-club show, where kids perform with costumes, lighting, choreography.
Club Med Cancun Yucatan for Families
  • Baby Welcome program: parents traveling with infants are provided with amenities in their room, such as crib, stroller, infant bath tub, and bottle warmer. Around the resort: restaurants have high-chairs; families with babies can visit the shallow pool in the Kids Club area. Babysitters are available for a charge.
  • Mini-Club Med for ages 4 to 10, in different age groups. Kids do activities around the resort, or play games or do crafts; with laudable absence of tv/video/computer screens.
  • Mini-Club Show-- see above. A highlight!
  • Passworld: kids age 11 to 13, and 14 to 17, have their own cool hangout and GO's, and special activities such as sound mixing classes, video-editing for music videos, jewelry-making; hip-hop dance, preparing for the theater.* Passworld theme at Club Med Cancun Yucatan is Car Wash.
  • teens will also like the outdoor movies, projected on a large white wall: grab some headphones, and settle in on a lounge-chair by the pool
Further Features:
  • 426 rooms and 18 suites
  • Jade Villa luxury concierge building has room service, ocean view suites, upgraded amenities packages (private car from airport, free internet, bathrobes, laundry service, stocked mini-fridge, and more.)
  • Comfort Zone spa has lovely pre/post spa area for relaxing
Keep in mind:
  • rooms can only accommodate a family with one child plus a baby or toddler who can sleep in a crib. If you have two kids, you'll need to get two connecting rooms, or book a suite
  • if you need a crib, confirm that it will be available
  • baby amenities don't include cleaning/sterilizing supplies
  • for those with strollers: units have three-storeys but no elevators
  • teens aren't permitted to do water skiing or wakeboarding
  • canopied day-beds get "claimed" early in the day
  • Club Med has moved away from its trademark group seating, where guests sat at round tables that seated eight, usually including a friendly G.O. or two. Dedicated Club Med-ers (and single parent travelers) will miss this unique feature. 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

When to eat in Barcelona: Local timetable


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Food is such a huge part of life in Barcelona and eating routines really do dictate the timetable of this city. Let me tell you about local eating habits and times so you can get the best out of your culinary experience during your visit.

Barcelona restaurant

Breakfast – 8 am to 10:30 am

This is quite a light affair consisting of a coffee or a cocoa drink accompanied with plain biscuits or cake. In the mornings, cafes and bars offer a combined deal of coffee and pastry at a great price. At this early hour you will be given “café amb llet” (a machine coffee with hot milk). You can ask for a “solo” (expresso) or a “tallat” (machiatto), although these beverages are traditionally taken after dessert at the large midday meals. For the more healthy ones, the front stands at the Boqueria market serve up great fruit salads for take away at unbeatable prices.

Media mañana – 11 am to 12:30 pm

Some people might decide on having a little snack to keep them going before lunch. In bars sometimes they have special offers of a “mini entrepà” (a small filled baguette) and a “canyita” (a tiny glass of beer) for very little money. What a great option for snacking in between sightseeing.

Lunch – 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

These are the hours when the main meal of the day is eaten. On weekdays, restaurants offer set 3 course meals, including drinks, at very reasonable prices. You need to ask for “Menú del Dia” and maybe a little help with the translation. Dishes change every day and most places will only print up a photocopy in Catalan or Spanish. Beware that after a huge feed with wine you might roll over and decide to take a siesta like I often do! Don’t worry too much. Things run later here and museums can stay open until around 8pm so you’ll be able to fit in both.

Merienda – 5 pm to 6:30 pm

If adopting local eating times, you will probably need a quick snack to keep you going. This might be an ideal time to try some delicious chocolate and churros (a cup of thick drinking chocolate with fried fingers of batter for dipping). To go the Catalan way, you can order “ensaimadas” (Mallorcan pastry) or “melindros” (lady fingers) to dip into your hot chocolate. Churros establishments close during lunch and open their doors in the evening around 5-5:30 pm. The quaint Granja Viader, over 100 years old, is the most traditional one here in Barcelona.

Dinner – 9 pm to 11:30 pm

Evening meals are taken quite late here. Don’t distress if you are an early eater as many restaurants have adapted quite well to visitors, opening their doors before hand. Traditionally, portions consumed at this late hour are not as big as at lunch time. While starters, mains and deserts are available, you won’t find those 3 course bargains that are on offer in the afternoons. Sometimes locals chill out on terraces with friends over a beverage and some tapas. This might be the ideal time to give those famed small plates of food a go.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Nice gem of art in Bodrum, Turkey

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Several months ago one of our clients asked to find a very good hotel next to Bodrum, Turkey and we did.

We have found Casa Dell’Arte.
The hotel consists of 3 buildings next to each other – Family Resort, The Residence and Villa.
 casa-dell-arte-residence2
This hotel was started by a Turkish family from Bodrum, who were the original owners of the villa that is now rented out to the hotel guests. The family specializes in automotive spare parts but as a hobby run this stunning hotel (first in Turkey) and buy art. At the current moment Casa Dell’Arte is home to more than €40,000,000 of artwork (individual pieces range between €20 to €4,000,000).
 Casa-dell-arte-living-room
The Residence is a more glamorous part of the resort – it consists of only of 12 suites and is adults only (children from 12 are welcome).  Each suite is a little different from the rest and of course exhibits various original pieces of art.
casa-dell-arte-residence
2 of the Suites – Leo & Cancer (yes, all 12 suites are named after the zodiac signs – owners must have an affinity for horoscopes) are facing the sea but are smaller in size than the Duplex Suites. Sea View suites are perfect for a romantic couple!
CasaDellArte-Leo-Suite
Scorpio Suite (same as Sagittarius) is very beautiful .
Casa-Dell-Arte-Bodrum-Duplex-Suite
It is loft style, 130 sq m, with beautiful spacious living area downstairs (a sofa was easily converted for a bed for our daughter) and a huge bedroom upstairs with an uber chic bed, a small study desk and ample storage. These suites are called Duplex Suites on the hotel’s site and are my favourite for families with children over 12.
Casa-Dell-Arte-Bodrum-Duplex-Suite-Bedroom

casa-del-arte-family-suite

Family resort is also very comfortable and modern. Family Suite is fantastic for a family of four (it has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a small living room). No views , but you are not too far from the beach


Main Bedroom at the Family suite (2 bedroom suite that is absolutely perfect for a family of 4):
Family-suite-casa-delarte
And second bedroom for the kids -
Family-Suite-Bedroom-casa-delarte
What we love:
1. Being right on the beach – walk out of your suite and within 20m your feet are in the sand
2. Beach setting – white designer cabanas set up on the pontoon.
casa-dell-arte
3. Children’s programs: The Way Casa Del Arte looks after the children is excellent. They do a lot of fun and educational activities: drawing, making clay vases and decorations all day long, and playing a lot of games.

4. Family Pool – the source of endless entertainment for the kids in a beautiful setting right on the beach.
Casa-Dell-Arte-Bodrum-family-pool
casa-dell-arte-breakfast-area


5. Breakfast – the setting is magical. Under the shade of trees the freshest Turkish delicacies are served with a smile. Excellent espressos, fresh orange juice, bagels, beautiful fruit.

6. Adults Only & Family areas. Even though it is nice to spend time with the children it is equally lovely to have some time apart lounging in a quiet and peaceful area.
casa-dell-arte-beach
7. Stunning Tasteful Design & Artwork throughout the hotel and suites
DSC_2149
What we don’t like:
1. Wrong charges on the bill – there are cases when people find a few charges on their bills that didn’t belong to them and even though the signatures were obviously different it took them forever to sort it out. Ask for a bill in advance and check it.
2. Getting charged $20 to bring the kettle to the room.
All In AllCasa Del Arte is an excellent hotel in an ideal setting. The beach is clean and beautiful, a few local tavernas nearby serve mouthwatering Turkish delicacies, accommodation is superb and the staff are very friendly. Not all of them speak English though.
Casa_Dell_Arte_Bodrum_living-room
Need to Know:
Rates at the Family Resort are very reasonable for this level of luxury, they start from €300.00
At the Residence, from €540.00 per night
3 Bedroom Villa is from €1,300.00 per night
 DSC_2113
Gullet-casa-dellarte-2
For something extra special – Casa Dell’Arte also owns 2 luxury vessels, 35m and 28m gullets.
They have 5 cabins each (max 10 guests) and are ultra luxurious. Day rates start from €2500.
Hire one of them for a few days after the stay in Bodrum and explore the Turkish Riviera from the water.