STEPPES TRAVEL’S ULTIMATE CENTRAL AMERICAN HOLIDAY: MUKUL BEACH, GOLF & SPA

NEW YORK, N.Y. (01/2014) One of the “must” destinations for 2014 is Central America. For those who like to be first on their block, Steppes Travel, known for identifying and customizing tours of the world’s most remarkable places, is offering bespoke trips to the new Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa, one of the most luxurious resorts on the planet. Located on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast north of San Juan des Sur, Mukul (the Mayan word for secret) takes luxury to a stratospheric level with a gorgeous private beach, capacious villas, 24-hour butler service, helicopter transfers, cigar and rum rooms, and a Spa that comprises no fewer than six buildings. Rates from $550 per night for a Bohio Mountain view room with double occupancy.

But Steppes’ Central American expert Beth Collins advises, “Mukul is not just for adults – the whole family is welcome here. Accommodations for ‘Kul’ Kids aged 0 to12 are complimentary, if sharing with their parents.  The resort is completely geared up for families, offering professional daycare, adventure programs, beachcombing, monkey viewing, movie nights and much more.”

The resort of Mukul sits along a stunning four-mile stretch of pristine, white sandy beach. There are 37 guest accommodations: Beach Villas range from 955 square feet to 2,620 square feet, with the Bohios rooms perched dramatically on the hillside among the lush canopy of the rain forest. All villas offer inside/outside living with wrap around balconies and private plunge pools of varying sizes.

For the ultimate getaway with family or friends, there is the house of all houses for rent -- Casona Don Carlos, home of Mukul owner Don Carlos Pellas (one of the top 50 most influential people in Latin America). The Pellas’ four-bedroom residence and large private swimming pool comes with 20,000 feet of ocean front and a palapa (traditional Latin American shelter roofed with palm leaves or branches) that soars 80 feet high.

Golfers can play endless rounds on the exquisite oceanfront course designed by celebrated Scottish designer David McLay Kidd.  For those who just want to wind down, the Spa offers healing therapies from Japan, India and Turkey.

Steppes Travel will handle arrangements to the minute.  Email enquiry@steppestravel.com; Toll-free: 1-855-352-7606

FULLY-STAFFED PRIVATE VILLA OFFERED IN FAVORED NEW DESTINATION, MALAWI GREAT GETAWAY FOR FAMILY OR GROUP OF FRIENDS

Kaya Mawa, an eco-luxe beach resort on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, offers Ndomo Point House, a private villa for those travelers desirous of total seclusion and personal service, but who don’t want to relinquish the benefits of being at a lodge. A magical getaway for a family or a group of friends, Ndomo Point House comprises four en suite bedrooms, a sitting room, family kitchen, pool, courtyard, five terraces and decks all set on a private beach with uninterrupted views across Lake Malawi. The house is fully staffed with a nanny, a cook, a housekeeper, ground staff and watchmen.

Rates start at $460 per person per night with a three-night minimum and a minimum of four and maximum of eight adults.  Rate includes:  All meals, accommodations, transfer to and from Likoma Aerodrome to Kaya Mawa, mountain bikes, walks, kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.

The dream of owners James and Suzie Lightfoot, Ndomo Point House was originally planned as a two-bedroom beach “shack.”  Over three years the shack evolved into a character-filled villa containing elements derived from the couple’s journeys in Zambia, Zanzibar, Malawi and Lamu, Kenya’s oldest continually inhabited town and a World Heritage Site.

All the facilities of Kaya Mawa Lodge are just six-tenths of a mile away:  a PADI dive school, the Lake's only kite-boarding school, plus kayaks and quad bikes are there for the taking. Guests are invited to spend as much time as they like at the lodge, and even take their meals there, should they wish.  A boat and vehicles are just a radio call away.

Ndomo Point House is located on the Southwestern corner of Likoma Island with views across to the neighboring island, Chizimulu, and on to mainland Malawi. A year-round sunset is a secret surprise!

For more information, contact:  James@kayamawa.com

VILLA LIFE AT VAMIZI: PRIVATE VILLA COLLECTION IN MOZAMBIQUE DESIGNED FOR AFRICAN ISLAND LIFESTYLE

Vamizi Island, a singularly beautiful, eco-active African island in the Quirimbas Archipelago of Mozambique, has three villas available for rental, each sleeping up to 12 people.  Villas in Vamizi’s Private Collection are designed to serve as homes away from home for families, friends, business associates or any groups looking for the ultimate in privacy. 

Britain’s Tatler Magazine has compared Vamizi to “a mini-Mustique…a tiny, far-flung isle that’s all barefoot fabulousness and impossibly smart villas.”

Vamizi’s Private Villa Collection has been designed by award-winning South African architects, renowned for their commitment to creative design, sustainable development and responsible tourism, creating a unique style of architecture that draws on the multi-cultural influences of Mozambique.

The designs were chosen in order to integrate with the existing landscape, such as wrapping around the larger trees. Locally sourced, high-quality building materials have been used, and traditional construction methods adopted where possible.

Each villa is uniquely designed in its own elegant style with bespoke floor plans, and includes en-suite bedrooms, spectacular drawing and dining rooms, and peaceful lounging spaces around plunge pools or beach, where the options for eating, drinking or just relaxing are endless.

The private chef and personal hospitality team will ensure that all needs are met, from tailor-made menus to organizing fishing and diving trips, a range of holistic spa treatments and dhow sailing trips.

At seven-and-a-half miles long and a half-mile wide, Vamizi is a small island, but it is located in a felicitous spot – along an immense coral reef pulsing with life and seductive to myriad sea creatures, making it one of the great saltwater diving spots on the planet.  Beyond diving there is deep-sea fishing, kayaking, nature walks and yoga.

Rental rates start at $32,400 for a six-night package based on a minimum of eight people, with additional costs beyond eight.

For more information visit: www.vamizi.com

A BEACH ESCAPE FOR TWO AT KINONDO KWETU

KENYA – Kinondo Kwetu is nestled on the secluded shores of the Indian Ocean in southern Kenya. The small, all-inclusive luxury resort is the only hotel on all of Galu Beach, located at the end of a dirt road and distanced from neighbors by rocky cliffs and endless beach. For honeymooners looking for some relaxation and romance after the wedding, Kinondo Kwetu is a beach haven of style and serenity. 

The various forms of accommodation at Kinondo Kwetu were all designed with discretion in mind - surrounded by shady, green gardens and with selected parts available for exclusive use.

The Mama Taa Villa is comprised of seven suites, all of which are dramatically decorated with rich African antiques and a subtle Swedish flare (thanks to the Swedish couple who runs the place!). The gorgeous Honeymoon Suite is located within the Mama Taa Villa Suites and features an exquisitely large bed and multiple balconies.

There are five cottages, three of which are doubles featuring king sized beds swathed in filmy nets , one with a double bedroom and one dubbed the Ubani “beachhouse” that features two stories and can be sold together or separately.

There are plenty of quiet and romantic spots outside for couples to retreat to. The water towers offer spectacular views of the mountains and are the ideal place for a romantic sunset.  Private moonlit dinners for two may also be arranged upon request.  

In addition to enjoying the sun and swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, there’s also an impressive selection of activities offered at Kinondo Kwetu.  Couples can get active with water sports like kite surfing and scuba diving or land activities such as game driving through the nearby Shimba Hills, horseback riding, yoga, tennis or golf – to name a few.

Kninondo Kwetu is only a one and a half hour drive from Mombasa and a fifteen-minute drive from the Ukunda airstrip. Mid season rates start at $460 per person sharing, including all drinks, yoga and gym equipment, tennis, excursions to Kinondo Kwetu community projects in Kinondo village, wood fired sauna, canoeing, snorkeling equipment, one PADI diving lesson in the pool, airstrip transfers, WIFI and limited laundry.

For more information visit www.thecpportfolio.com or

 www.kinondo-kwetu.com.