Because you can never get enough of staying on a private island we experienced it twice during our stay in Granada (Nicaragua)! Just a few minutes away by boat from Granada town the islets are a group of 365 small islands of volcanic origin, they were formed when the Mombacho volcano blew much of its cone into the lake thousands of years ago, thereby creating the archipelago. Most of the islets are covered with vegetation and rich with bird life. Many of the islets are occupied. Some are privately owned and hold homes or vacation houses. There are facilities for the residents and for tourists. Hotels and shops are established on some of the islets, and boating tours are available.
With my partner Eric and my friend Laurine we stayed for 2 days in a private island called Isleta El Espino which has a direct and outstanding view on Mombacho volcano!
After a beautiful boat ride through the islets and mangroves we arrived on the island where the staff waited for us with a delicious fresh passion fruit juice. We dropped our luggages into our Bungalow and visited El Espino : our private island for 2 days 🙂
There are 5 guest rooms on the island, all built into an eco friendly concept, very close to the nature. The design fits perfectly the island environment with its wood. The Bungalow offers privacy with views of the lush landscape and the lake beyond. And because we had the island just for ourselves, we took some beautiful pictures on every corner as for example and the treetop rancho, another sleeping option for couples or families.
We were so happy to share our time on the island with a lovely black cat! We spent our day at the private pool, cooling down from the heat and enjoying the volcano view together.
We watched the sunset on the open house facing the Mombacho volcano and had dinner at the night fall. The island offers dining services that you just have to book in advance!
The deck is also a beautiful setting to practice yoga, either at sunset or sunrise.
We went to sleep very early, following the jungle’s life and decided to wake up early as well to explore the island and its surroundings at sunrise. Free canoe are available for the island’s guests.
At this time, everything was so peaceful, birds were singing for us. The Mombacho didn’t want to show up this day, but the views were still wonderful!
We enjoyed a home made breakfast with the view before heading back to town.
When you feel at peace, you could easily stay forever. 2 days weren’t enough to explore every places we would have loved to, but it was definitely worth the visit on Isleta El Espino
We spent 2 days at the Almond beach resort which is one of the excellent brands of the Belize Collection group (like the Sleeping Giant) during our stay in Hopkins. It is located in the hotel zone a few minutes by bike or golf cart from the center.
Located right on the beach, it has two beautiful swimming pools, one of which has a very nice pool bar where we made friends with some American guests. Discussions around excursions and places visited in Belize are going well!
As soon as we arrived and were treated to an excellent welcome drink at the hotel restaurant, the Paddle House, we immediately saw the impressive dock. This is the Big Dock, a beautiful 2-story bar that serves excellent ceviche. The place is really perfect for taking a dip from a diving board or simply chilling on the nets above the sea with a cocktail and taking pictures. This is the option we have chosen!
The next day we leave for a sea tour organized by the hotel. This is the “island hoping” trick. We board at 9am with 2 other people and our 2 super nice crew members.
In the program: Visit the charming little island of South Water Caye. Between 2 waters of a magnificent turquoise, we discover how to use the traditional tool of local families which allows to open and enjoy an excellent coconut. 3 snorkeling stops with our guide who really did his best to show us as many species and corals as possible. The seabed was really very pretty, we will see a lot of fish and rays but much less than during our snorkeling trip to Caye Caulker. Visit of the island and lunch in Tobacco Caye. The vegetarian buritos prepared by the hotel were delicious and went very well after snorkeling! It’s a change from the tours that systematically stop you at the local restaurant for lunch..
Back in the afternoon, we finally enjoy our room with a private plunge pool. The small swimming pool has been set up in the middle of a small landscaped area with a huge palm tree, a lounge area and an outdoor shower. It’s just too cozy! We love. The rest of the room is just as pleasant, king size bed, beautiful spacious bathroom with shower, outdoor space with a partial sea view. Note that the shower and care products offered were also very pleasant.
A day like this had to end with a good dinner…We fell in love with the private dinner with our feet in the sand with just us and the sound of the waves to keep us company!
The Sleeping Giant:
The Sleeping Giant, our favorite in the jungle hotel category! This is the 2nd hotel of the Belize Collection group where we have stayed.
It is one of those unique hotels in the world. Of those where the beauty of the environment and the quality of the accommodation makes you immediately succumb.
The river-fronted property occupies several acres in the jungle along the Hummingbird Highway between Belmopan and Hopkins. As we were coming from the Almond Beach hotel, we took advantage of the transfer offered by the latter to get there.
The first thing that jumps out at you is the beautiful lush tropical vegetation that adorns the hotel’s walkways. We started our day with some delicious healthy food.
It makes us want to visit the surroundings immediately but that will be for later. We go to our room or rather our mountain view suite! We can’t wait to climb the hundred steps that separate us from the room on the mountainside. What a reward once you get to the top! We are stunned by the panoramic view of the valley and the surrounding jungle, it is so impressive. A day bed, a hammock for 2 and above all a magnificent private plunge pool: everything is done to make the most of it. You could spend hours there contemplating the jungle!
It will soon be dark, another place is calling us, a famous gazebo perched on top of a hill that our driver told us about this morning. We decide to go there for the sunset. After about twenty minutes of walking on a fairly steep little path, we arrive just in time in this magical place with a 360 degree view of the valley. Breathtaking !
Next and last stop of the day, dinner at Don Tonitos, the hotel’s famous Italian pizzeria. Everything is there to spend a good evening, the fire pit, the wood-fired oven and of course the homemade pizzas.
Day 2 : We get up at dawn because it is unthinkable to miss the sunrise from the bedroom. There the show operates and the jungle which wakes up before our eyes with the rays of the sun which slowly pierce the mist and the canopy is fabulous! Add to that the sound of birds, it’s the absolute dream.
We continue with a breakfast and we embark directly on a waterfall tour organized with great care by the hotel. We feel extremely privileged as this tour is only doable via the Sleeping Giant. You will therefore have to stay there to enjoy it! The exit through the jungle takes place with 2 guides. We walk along the river and cross it several times to reach a series of 5 waterfalls. The crystal clear water and the natural pools encountered along the way make you want to swim there, but that will be for later. We link several passages by swimming or with the help of ropes or ladders in an increasingly enchanting setting until we arrive at the start of the waterfalls. From there the views of this unspoiled nature are breathtaking. As a bonus of course we will not meet any other tourists that day… On the way back, possibility of jumping into the water from the rocks for the more adventurous! Hardly time to eat a burito at the edge of one of the waterfalls that it is already time to turn back.
Back at the hotel, we had booked the private dinner experience on the heights of the property.
We arrive early enough to take advantage of the last rays of sunshine and feast under the stars to end this exceptional day! A must!
Last morning at the Sleeping Giant and we haven’t had time to see everything yet. The sun diffuses its first morning light and we ride our electric bikes (provided for free) to go to the Nest. It is a wooden structure perched on a tree above the river. We couldn’t have hoped for better to see the sun rise. The spectacle there is magnificent.
We continue our morning along the river on foot this time. Several suspension bridges cross it on both sides. It’s of all beauty.
There is also a yoga space that overlooks a place by the river. We won’t have time to practice that day. Time to have breakfast and enjoy a bit of the swimming pool, it’s already time to leave for new adventures.
We experienced something exceptional in a magical place. This will for sure remain our biggest favorite in Belize. If you pass through this magnificent little country, do not miss to put your suitcases there for a few days!
Mexico City was our first stop in our Mexican trip. After a month backpacking in Panama and Costa Rica, we wouldn’t have a better experience then staying at Xoma Roma while exploring Mexico City! We took a Uber straight from the Airport to Xoma Roma and we arrived in front of an impressive and so modern building!
Our host, Victoria was waiting for us at our arrival. She showed us everything and accompanied us to our room: the elevator opened on the 2nd floor and we discovered our own brand new apartment!
We immediately felt at home! A 64m2 luxury apartment including a living room, bedroom, and a spacious bathroom!
We were so tired from our long travel day that we immediately went to bed, in this huge king size bed!
We wanted to enjoy our breakfast in our own space. So we made our coffee with the delicious coffee that our apartment offered and we grab some fresh bakeries from a shop a few steps ahead. Romas is full of those!
Our bed, the light and fresh bakeries, what else?!
The apartment has its own private balcony on which we can relax. In bed or balcony breakfast, you just have to choose 😉
The rooftop, at Xoma Roma consists of a beautiful heated pool, lounge chairs with an astonishing view on the cityscape where you can relax all day long…
You will also find a lovely swing on the rooftop from where you can admire the sun fall behind the skyline.
We decided to extend the experience with a Tequila shot next to the fire-pit. Its heat gives the opportunity to enjoy the rooftop’s sofa longer, even though nights are cold in Mexico city in November.
and when the city lights turn on, the magic still operates…
And because we really loved it, we even came up for sunrise, before leaving our cozy place for a full visiting day!
While staying in Xoma Roma we took Uber to explore Mexico City, it is very cheap and easy!
Roma’s neighborhood is definitely the best one to enjoy Mexico city’s facilities: just a few steps away you’ll need everything you need : cafe’s, restaurants, bars, shops…
But, what we also like about staying at Xoma Roma and having our entire own apartment, is the option of going back home after sunset, ordering a Ubereats and chillin at home.
“Le bout du monde et le fond du jardin contiennent la même quantité de merveilles.”
Christian Bobin
Je me souviens de ce jour ensoleillé du mois d’avril où, je randonnais sur cette route forestière à quelques pas de chez moi à Guebwiller. Quelle ne fût pas ma surprise en voyant cette bâtisse en cours de rénovation, nichée en bordure de forêt…
5 mois après nous y voilà! Le Grand Petit Prince : nous nous étions déjà laissé charmé par le lieux sans nous douter des secrets qu’il pouvait y abriter. Il s’agit en fait de 3 gîtes différents. Les deux premiers sont aménagés dans l’ancienne maison forestière de Guebwiller. Le troisième, celui que nous occuperons, est un grand appartement de 80 m² pouvant accueillir jusqu’à 4 personnes.
Un cadre idyllique: la forêt, le silence, la vue sur vignoble et des jacuzzis pour encore mieux profiter…
Mais tout d’abord revenons à ce qui se cache derrière l’entrée. Une allée en bois nous emmène vers les gardiens des lieux qui veillent, 3 magnifiques séquoias géants, avec une belle table de picnic en leur centre. Nous ne nous ferons pas prier pour nous y installer et profiter des derniers rayons de soleil de cette belle journée de septembre.
Nous avons dégusté un succulent Picnic apéro préparé avec soin par la fromagerie Guebwilleroise Qui l’eut cru.
Nos amis Aline & Antoine sont venus partager ce moment avec nous!
La fraicheur du début de soirée nous amène vers notre demeure du weekend. Nous passerons un excellent moment dans partie salon avec sa cuisine ouverte, moderne et parfaitement bien équipée. Les immenses poutres apparentes et le mobilier vintage apporte beaucoup de chaleur au lieu. Nous y passerons une bonne partie de la soirée…
Nous en étions presque à oublier la meilleure manière de prolonger cet exquis moment de détente au Grand Petit Prince… Se glisser dans notre jacuzzi privatif qui nous attend sur la petite terrasse aménagée à cet effet ! Là, le moment est juste parfait. Les bulles, la vue, la magie du lieu… Nous nous prenons à rêver que la vie ne devrait être faite que de moments de la sorte !
Enfin nous regagnerons plus tard nos chambres respectives. La plus grande est vraiment charmante avec sa grande hauteur sous plafond et ses vieilles poutres apparentes. Elle dispose également de sa salle de bain privative. Nous avons particulièrement adoré le soin apporté à la déco. Mention spéciale pour les vasques en bois fossilisé qui sont superbes.
Les 2 chambres sont largement ouvertes sur la paisible forêt environnante. On s’y vraiment bien. Les séquoias veillent sur nous. Il n’y plus qu’à s’endormir, bercés par la légère brise qui caresse les branche…
Quelle joie de se réveiller au Grand Petit Prince et boire son thé en regardant les feuilles d’automne qui, tout doucement, tombent des arbres…
Mais l’extérieur nous appelle déjà: avec un tel cadre, impossible de résister à l’envie d’une séance de Yoga dans le jardin!
Depuis notre gîte, le sentier permet de partir directement pour une randonnée vélo, un vrai bonheur pour les adeptes de la pratique!
Nous profitons de nos derniers moments au Grand Petit Prince pour réaliser quelques images sur lesquelles je vous laisse méditer à votre prochain séjour…
Avec les belles couleurs d’automne et l’hiver qui arrive, une escapade au coeur de la forêt, avec un jacuzzi pour se détente et se réchauffer après une journée de randonnée, le lieu parfait est trouvé!
Hello & Welcome to my travel blog!
My name is Céline. I am a passionate traveler, professional photographer & model, and certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher. I started travelling alone when I was 17 and never stopped. In 2016, I went on a 6 month trip on my own, in Asia & Australia. It changed my way of traveling in willing to explore more…
About me
Hello & Welcome to my travel blog!
My name is Céline. I am a passionate traveler, professional photographer & model, and certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher. I started travelling alone when I was 17 and never stopped. In 2016, I went on a 6 month trip on my own, in Asia & Australia. It changed my way of traveling in willing to explore more…
Hello & Welcome to my travel blog!
My name is Céline. I am a passionate traveler, professional photographer & model, and certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher. I started travelling alone when I was 17 and never stopped. In 2016, I went on a 6 month trip on my own, in Asia & Australia. It changed my way of traveling in willing to explore more…
