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Islands

The ABCs of the ABC Islands

Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao

There is one thing common between fashion designers and Caribbean which is capsule collection. The region’s southernmost trio of islands just off the coast of Venezuela form ABC islands collectively. Namely Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao have their own cachet. They are exotic in every respect yet are ready to wear. They are tending to be a lesser amount of burden for your pocket, less fussy Maldives of the West, exempting over-water-bottomed huts.

With a Caribbean creative director, Dutch designer and a Spanish sketch artist, the ABC collection of islands have a global reach, along with linguistic proficiency in English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento which is the local Creole tongue. There is no point to worry about foul-weather gear as all three of these islands are below Caribbean’s hurricane belt.

You can take a direct flight from Miami, Boston, New York City, and Charlotte make it easy for American visitors to explore these alphabet islands, though many tend to just try A on for size. Aruba is a reasonable enough destination thus it becomes the favorite to be the first choice for the visitors to be able to get there. As it is located at a two hour flight from Miami and have an advantage of locals who speak fluent English, two big resort beaches, and widespread acceptance of U.S. dollars.

The second one is Bonaire, the collection’s smallest island, known for sporty basics. It tends to fly under the radar of visitors who want to enjoy their holidays apart from mere diving, kiteboard, or windsurfing the pursuits for which it is most famous. Last but certainly not the least, in addition to welcoming direct flights from Miami and New York City, Curaçao has the most boutique hotels amongst all three. The island is beautified with many glorified resorts with some of the most prominent names being the Hyatt and Renaissance, wherein most of the retreats are intimate and petite in nature.

Coronado Island, San Diego

Coronado Island, San Diego

The Glorietta Bay Inn, a charming 1920s mansion located in the heart of Coronado, radiates elegance. It offers 11 rooms in the historical mansion, each one different from the next, with unique features such as hand-carved travertine fire places, patios perfect for watching the setting sun, and even a penthouse that makes up the entire third floor. Once you climb into the cozy feather beds you may just want to stay there all weekend. If you do manage to get out for some fun during the day, you will be greeted with turndown service, and milk and cookies at bedtime.

A fabulous spa awaits those looking to be pampered; three outdoor swimming pools, whirlpools, and the Silver Strand Beach are there for those looking to get wet or maybe just lounge in the sun. If you are feeling sporty, head to the private tennis courts, or just minutes away, one of San Diego’s many fine golf courses. Whenever you work up an appetite, stop for a bite to eat at any one of the fabulous cafes featuring mouth-watering dishes made from local farm-fresh produce.

The ultimate destination in Coronado is the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, easily identified by its bold red rooftops. This Victorian era beach resort offers modern luxury in a truly historic hotel that can boast of famous guests from presidents and princes to Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, Brad Pitt and even Madonna.

Hotel Del is right on the beach and oozes romance at every turn. Cuddle with your partner by the fire on the beach, where you can make s’mores and sip Champagne. Enjoy a tandem bike ride along the scenic coastline or rent a sailboat nearby and spend a lazy day on the water enjoying the bayside breeze.

Sheikh of Qatar Looking to Buy Greek Island Skorpios

Sheikh of Qatar Looking to Buy Greek Island Skorpios

Greece has put a ton of state assets up for sale, including some of its famous islands. One interested buyer is Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the ruling Emir of Qatar, who wants to acquire two islands in the Ionian Sea, including Skorpios Island.

The private island formerly belonged to famed Greek shipping billionaire Aristotle Onassis and was the site of his wedding to Jackie Kennedy in 1968. It’s being sold by his granddaughter and heiress, Athina Onassis Roussel, though certain Greek authorities oppose it. There is a lavish villa on the island known as the Pink House which Onassis built for Jackie, along with tennis courts and plush gardens, though most of the island remains undeveloped and pristinely beautiful.

The Qatari royal however may have another contender vying to buy it: Bill Gates. He visited the island in July 2009 reportedly with the intention of buying it. Greek authorities were not willing to sell it as they viewed Onassis’ island as national heritage.

According to Theodoros Varikos, the mayor of the region, Athena cannot sell the island because Onassis has specified in his will that it cannot be sold.

3 Islands and a Mansion off Italy’s Amalfi coast for sale

3 Islands and a mansion off Italy's Amalfi coast

Hotelier Giovanni Russo has had a good life with great luxuries and now it’s time to sell off his islands and a massive home and travel the world. So buyers interested in owning property in Positano, Italy, off the Amalfi coast can check this out. Three islands of Li Galli, namely Gallo Lungo, Rotonda and Castelletto and a home once owned by Franco Zeffirelli are for sale for $263 million. A lot of money and effort has been spent on this property which boasts a stunning view of the sea. It has a hotel license now and the new buyer can rent it out, if they wish, for as much as $54,200 per night with a minimum seven-night stay.

It includes 19 luxurious suites with bathrooms, four salons, 1,500 sq m of terraces, over 2,900 sq m living areas, two kitchens, three salts water pools, large garden, spa area, helipad, boat launch and 30 ft antique wooden tender, 17 staff and is completely furnished.

3 Islands and a mansion off Italy's Amalfi coast 1

3 Islands and a mansion off Italy's Amalfi coast 2

3 Islands and a mansion off Italy's Amalfi coast 3

Historical slab of Australia’s Dirk Hartog Island expected to fetch $9.1 million

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A historical slab of Australia, 11ha of pristine Dirk Hartog Island that has been put up for sale, is expected to generate a lot of interest from Western Australia’s wealthy boating fraternity and generate at least $10 million.

Located in Western Australia, the slab we are referring to is the place where the Dutch East India Company captain Dirk Hartog became the first European to step on the country’s west coast in 1616. He left a commemorative pewter plate on the island, which another Dutchman, William de Vlamingh, then replaced with his own plate when he landed at Cape Inscription, on the island’s northern tip, in 1697.

The lease of the 80km long island was bought by the Wardle family and the island is now a national park and part of the Shark Bay World Heritage area.

When the Wardles handed the island to the state’s Department of Environment and Conservation, they were given four freehold plots of land in return. On the condition that it is run as an eco-tourism operation, the Wardles have now decided to sell their plot at the Sunday Island Bay, which is at the island’s southern tip.

FYI: The bids close on October 25, 394 years to the day after Hartog landed on the island.

Watch Island offered for sale for $1,950,000

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If none of the Islands listed previously have been able to make you buy/rent it right away, the Watch Island, we are betting, will get rid of your apprehensions.

One of the 1800 islands dotting the St. Lawrence Seaway, New York, the Watch Island offers a 6,500 square foot Victorian mansion and nestles in a peaceful bay with views of ships, sunsets, Thousand Island Bridge, and the venerable Rock Island Lighthouse.

Amenities:

  • Living quarters that include an antique-filled living room with fireplace
  • Country kitchen
  • Impressively equipped pantry
  • Four furnished porches
  • A grand dining room that seats up to 16
  • Ten bedrooms sleep a maximum of 20 people
  • Dining room’s 12 generous windows offer ever-changing views of the seaway and sunsets
  • Magnificent Victorian detailing, such as wood paneling and a grand staircase, featuring throughout
  • Air conditioned and centrally heated home
  • Claw-foot soaking tubs or showers in all four baths
  • Deep-water boathouse and extensive docking facilities

Watch Island is offered for weekly and monthly rental for up to two families at a time, with additional families at extra charge. And for those who are looking to stay indefinitely, Watch Island is offered for sale for $1,950,000.

Ras Al Khaimah Island up for $193.5 million

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This 2.37 million square feet island in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Hamra Village is now up for sale for Dh711 million ($193.5 million).

Located at the centre of the village, the 330,000.00 sq m Island comes with a permission to build but has a restriction to the height of the buildings to 7 floors.

The prospective buyers will be expected to pay 40-50 per cent of the amount upfront, while the rest should be paid within three years in quarterly installments. By the way, the island has already received three bids.

FYI: The Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (Rakia) is emphasising that it is not bypassing any federal regulation to grant residency visas to property owners in the emirate.

Scott Island: A perfect getaway destination for $4.7 million

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scottisland[2]

scottisland[3]

Are you one of those people who love splurging on private islands? If yes, then I have the just the piece of news for you!

Just three miles across the Stuart Channel from the Vancouver Island town of Chemainus, Scott Island is a tree-covered, 5.26-acre gem, easily accessible by boat, floatplane, or helicopter. The main feature of this Island is a modern, 4,541-square foot, bi-level home with five bedrooms and six bathrooms, an octagonal great room/entertainment area, an open and airy kitchen/dining/family room, and a separate living room with a brick fireplace.

Attached is a 1,644-square foot, self-contained caretaker’s wing with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Both the main residence and caretaker’s section have large wrap-around decks and all upstairs bedrooms have balconies. Best of all, most rooms have southwest views for taking in the awesome sunsets over Vancouver Island and the Pacific beyond.

And in those cases when you need a break from your lavish home, you can play on the island’s full-size tennis court, or go hiking and bird watching or enjoy some water activities like kayaking, swimming, diving, fishing, and crabbing in the waters offshore. And did I miss telling you that there is also a  large and protected all-weather and all-tide harbor!

FYI: The island is being offered fully furnished for $4,726,800.

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