Cruise & Travel

Cape Sounio Hotel

Cape Sounio embodies a world of privacy and natural beauty basking in the glow of one of antiquity’s most celebrated monuments, The Temple of Poseidon. Arranged amphitheatrically to maximise the views of the Temple, elegant, terracotta villas with private gardens and pools rise along shaded, stone paths framed by olive trees and fragrant pines descending to two private beaches.

The location of the Cape at the tip of Attica – and similarly, as the Gateway to both Athens and the Aegean – made it a place of great strategic importance. The Cape also holds legendary significance as the place where the Aegean was named; it was here that Aegeus, the King of Athens, plunged to his death upon spying the dark sails of Theseus’s ship and mistakenly believing that his son had been slain by the Minotaur.

Cape Sounio Room

Rising on the slopes of the bay, above Cape Sounio Grecotel Exclusive Resort, lies the Sounio National Park, revered for its scenic beauty and rich geological history. The ancient mines within the park are reputed to have supplied the marble for the building of the Temple of Poseidon.

One of the few Athens Riviera hotels, Cape Sounio The park and Resort overlooks the deep blue waters of Cape Sounio Bay – home to some of the cleanest and clearest waters in the Saronic Gulf. Protected from winds and rough seas, the crystal depths teem with life and are home to a thriving colony of Poseidonias Seaweed, one of the most important ocean biotypes in existence.

Double room prices range from US$ 380.00/night. For more information visit www.capesounio.com

Villa Antica Rosa - Private Pool

Mandola Rosa is a boutique hotel that occupies an exclusive stretch of one of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. The Hotel lies at the centre of its own private estate within the Olympia Riviera Resort and comprises just 54 suites and villas, steeped in old world charm and effortless elegance.

In addition to benefiting from an abundance of resort activities, Mandola Rosa offers easy access to the world famous archaeological site of Ancient Olympia and the many other natural, historical and cultural attractions of the Western Peloponnese. VIP services and high security standards make the Hotel the perfect retreat for couples and families seeking quality time in an exclusive environment.

Elixir Thalasso

A Sanctuary for the Senses, a Balm for the Soul: Inspired by the Rotunda at Olympia nearby, ‘Elixir’ Thalassotherapy Center is designed like a complex of Greek temples. Illuminated in the evening, it harks back to the sanctuaries of Classical Greece. This luxury retreat combines the ages-old wisdom of the Greeks, who valued the healing properties of the sea, with modern wellness regimens to relax the body and rejuvenate the spirit.

The ‘Elixir’ Thalassotherapy Center has three wings. The central building is a rotunda, inspired by the temple Alexander the Great built at the sanctuary at nearby Ancient Olympia. A grand staircase sweeps up guests from the reception area into the spa’s inner sanctum – a suite of thirty elegantly-appointed private massage rooms, changing areas, showers, saunas, exercise rooms, steam rooms, and luxurious indoor and outdoor lounges where you relax between treatments.

Aqua Elixir Thalasso Pool

The sanctuary design is part of the escapism of this fantasy setting and it’s hard not to feel like a goddess when you’re seated in an open-air whirlpool under the dome of a small temple. Spoil yourself completely with an open-air massage on the temple porch, discreetly screened by billowing curtains of filmy voile. The spa’s showstopper is the Aqua Elixir Thalasso Pool – more opulent than the grandest Roman thermae. Simply Divine!

Double room prices range from US$ 200.00/night. A Villa Delo Private Pool price is US$ 990.00/night. For more information visit Mandola Rosa Suites and Villas.

Cancun's Beaches

Cancún (pronounced can-koon) is a coastal city in Mexico’s easternmost state, Quintana Roo. It is the municipal seat of Benito Juárez municipality and a world renowned tourist resort with modern beachfront hotels surrounded by the Bahía de Mujeres (Bay of Women), the Caribbean Sea, and the Nichupte and Bojorquez lagoons. The mainland downtown commercial section (Cancún City), connected to the island by two bridges, has broad avenues lined with whitewashed shops, restaurants, and hotels.

In Cancún there are about 140 hotels with 24,000 rooms and 380 restaurants. Four million visitors arrive each year in an average of 190 flights daily. The hotel zone is one of the most exclusive internationally, with upmarket restaurants, bars, and the like which have catered for quite a number of the rich and famous. The hotel zone tends to be rather expensive as it is aimed at visitors and relies on the all inclusive hotels to keep them all in this area allowing prices to soar. Downtown is home to less expensive places to shop like Walmart, Comercial Mexicana and Soriana, not to mention several flea markets like the one in the hotel zone. On the opposite side of the island from the Caribbean Sea is the Nichupte Lagoon, which is used for boat and snorkelling tours of the area.

Nightlife
The City night club, Mexican Independence Day 2006Most clubs normally sell a wrist band ticket for entry inclusive of “free drinks”, however to get “free drinks” requires tipping the waiters regularly. The main large clubs in the Hotel Zone include “The City”, “Daddyo’s” and Coco Bongo. Mexican Independence Day will offer distinct entertainment throughout Mexico and this extends to Cancun, night clubs will provide live entertainment such as traditional Spanish guitar players, cock fighting etc.

Downtown Cancún offers a more cultural aspect, there are cuban/salsa type bars/restaurants. There are also many clubs for all types of people, including gay clubs like Karamba or Glow, but the hotels are more accessible to all types of travellers, including some with lower rates. International brands in Downtown area include Radisson Hacienda Cancún, Best Western Plaza Caribe, Oasis America.

Marine life
There are many opportunities and organised trips for speed boating, scuba diving etc. Cancun hosts many geological parks with lush marine life. Cancún’s hotel zone also has an interactive aquarium where visitors can see the marine diversity of the area. There are also a variety of locations where visitors can “swim with dolphins” and feed sharks.

Weather
The temperature of the city is warm, moderated by the marine breeze which circulates through its avenues. The temperatures are typically between 26°C and 36°C (78.8°F and 96.8°F) all year round. Hotel rooms with air conditioning are essential. Terrific lightning illuminates the night sky and hurricanes remain a rare hazard.