Tropical Dreams

Tropical Dreams
Magazine: June 2007

Exotic destinations make the perfect escape, also in summer. The Caribbean is enjoying a true revival and offers a vast choice of resorts. From super luxury hotels to small ambience hotels in under eight hours fl ying time. A stunning panorama and a maze of paradise beaches, like Antigua, Anguilla, Tobago, St. John, Turks & Caicos, and forests such as Dominica and Grenada, which already give you a taste of the Amazon. Islands that never sleep, like St. Barth, Barbados and Jamaica. And those that lie in remote, far away places, such as Cayo Levisa, Anegada and Barbuda. Or the unusual but equally enchanting Madagascar, a hymn to freedom and nature.

One of the most sought-after destinations is the Mitsio Archipelago, a dozen, tiny, mostly uninhabited islands. Another dimension, where long white beaches disappear into the distance. The Maldives have opted for luxury. A recherché style but with accessible prices that cater to different budgets. The era of pioneers, hardened divers and spartan rooms seems to have drawn its fi nal curtain. Likewise the allinclusive, low cost and poor quality concept. Today, the tourist will fi nd a decent value range without missing out on comfort and quality, to which the response has been bright and brisk. Indeed, the islands welcome almost one million visitors per year, 100,000 of whom Italian. And there is almost no sign now of the environmental disaster. The Seychelles unfold a different yet still competitive scenario. Now reached by a direct fl ight from Milan Malpensa launched last December, the pleasing hospitality, primitive nature and simplicity make up the basic offering. Today, visiting islands such as Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, which once cost one’s weight in gold, is within reach of most people.

The post-tsunami Maldives have shifted their sights to quality. All-inclusive, low-cost deals are out, in favour of ethno-chic resorts in the middle of nature

Charme resorts that welcome visitors to authentic Creole hospitality, with slow rhythms and the sound of the waves in the background, endless beaches, pink rocks and palm trees. More extravagant are Mauritius and Polynesia, although the offering here has also started to change. As have the prices. To get away from the muggy heat, Latin America makes a good choice. Prices are easy on the pocket and destinations easy to connect to, also thanks to the new direct fl ight launched by Air Europe. A great chance to taste the fl avours of Brazil and the hot rhythms of Rio.

Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Thailand, Mexico and Brasil. The post-tsunami Maldives have shifted their sight to quality...