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When Tenerife became the Home of the Gods

abril 27th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in The View - (0 Comments)

Roque Cinchado al Parc Nacional del Teide.Tenerife.jpg

Saving Grace

Sometimes when you watch a bad movie the only compliments you can make are about the scenery. For many people this was the case with the recent remake of Clash of the Titans. Widely criticised for the quality of the 3-D graphics as well as the dubious plot, the landscapes of the Canary Islands were the only feature of the movie to have emerged with credit. Even the actors spoke very highly of their own surprise in discovering the natural diversity and dramatic views across Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote, where the filming took place.

Clash of the Titans

The 2010 Clash of the Titans movie appears to take several strands of Greek mythology and blend them together in an arbitrary way to create a story. The hero Perseus is destined to save the people of Argos and avenge the deaths of his parents by slaying Kraken, the monster belonging to Hades. His mission takes him into the underworld where he fights and kills the legendary Medusa, taking her head as the only thing that can kill the otherwise invincible Kraken. The body count piles up for both man and beast, while creatures fly over Canarian coastlines, fight atop the islands’ famous volcanoes and make their way through the pine trees that cover a large part of Tenerife.

Throw in a mixture of death, love, betrayal, revenge and honour and you get the idea. Critics panned the movie yet it had enough success with its fans to warrant an upcoming sequel.

More than beaches in Tenerife

As for Tenerife and its neighbouring islands, the local people are delighted with the international exposure they received. Known by many for being a year-round beach destination, relatively few visitors leave the resorts of south Tenerife to experience the interior of the island. Yet for those on holiday in Tenerife who take a trip to explore the forests and the gorges of the island there are plenty of surprises to delight them.

The island is becoming increasingly known for the activities on offer, with hiking, cycling and kayaking all popular ways to explore the hidden parts of Tenerife. Perhaps you won’t see the flying horse Pegasus pass over your head while you’re wandering through the forest, but you never know – it might just be a visitor on a zip line!

Photo: By MarisaLR  via Wikimedia Commons

Tenerife is the sun-kissed vacation hotspot. If you are looking for relaxation, adventure, good times and fantastic weather, book your room at one of the Iberostar Hotels!

Mamajuana: The Dominican Republic’s Boozy Cure-all

abril 26th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Snapshots - (1 Comments)

As I travel around the Caribbean (and to some extent this is true in Latin America, too), I find nearly every island has some kind of homegrown hooch (often rum-based) that purports to be “medicinal” (and sometimes certainly tastes the part), often  including revitalizing, curative, and even aphrodisiac qualities. And if you’re staying at one of the Iberostar resorts out in Punta Cana, up in Playa Dorada/Puerto Plata, or down in Bayahibe, you may well come across the Dominican variation on this type of esteemed elixir.

The name Mamajuana (Spanish for “Mama Jane”) is thought to derive from Dama Juana (Lady Jane), which referred to a traditional kind of large glass jar with a short, narrow neck. Although there is increasing commercial manufacture of mamajuana, it’s still mostly a homemade potion, and everyone has a different recipe.  Basically, though, it usually involves botanicals – sticks, leaves, bark, roots, herbs – essentially pickled in 40-proof rum and sometimes leavened with other flavors and sweeteners such as honey, cinnamon, molasses, vanilla, or red wine. And that’s not even counting the animal parts some people add – snails, octopus, and sea turtle penis, anyone?

And honestly, most of the time the resulting brew can look a bit, well, nasty. But most the the versions I’ve tasted actually come across a bit funky – a little hard to describe, actually, but ranging from not bad to downright appealing, and the commercial brands increasingly found on store shelves can be downright silky (one good one is called Kalembú). And while traditionally the drink is imbibed straight or on the rocks, in recent years it’s been finding its way into cocktail culture, either in versions of popular tipples like mojitos, bloody marys (bloody juanas?), and cosmos, but also new inventions like the motoconcho (mamajuana mixed with vodka and rum, garnished with a couple of cherries).

And that “medicinal” part?  Mamajuana is held to help with headaches, colds and flu, to help get pregnant or keep from getting pregnant – and of course the ol’ libido (some have taken to referring to it as “liquid Viagra”).  Honestly, on that last point I can’t say I noticed  much difference, but what the hey. For me it will always evoke warm memories of the Caribbean – particularly the beautiful corner of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic.

¡Salud!


Photo | Cristian Lazzari/iStock Photo

If you stay at one of the Iberostar resorts out in Punta Cana, up in Playa Dorada/Puerto Plata, or down in Bayahibe, don’t forget to try the best local rums and traditional drinks like the Mamajuana!

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Expat in Montenegro: Ernst Stogmuller

abril 25th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

Montenegro

 

When Ernst Stogmuller and his wife sold their hourse in Wales and moved to Croatia and eventually Montenegro, they knew this would be the best decision of their lives. In 1999, the couple retired from their jobs as professional pilots and decided to become expats and pursue an exciting life as retirees abroad. They sold their property and bought a house in Croatia but eventually, they made Montenegro their permanent home.

Why Montenegro? Ernst didn’t make this decision overnight – he’d done plenty of research to make sure that Montenegro would be a suitable place to retire and relax.

With the Adriatic Sea on the south west and Croatia to the west, Montenegro is a beautiful country that’s known for its pleasant Mediterranean climate and warm sea. For eight months each year, the weather in most parts of Montenegro is sunny and warm, around 25 degrees Celsius, perfect for t-shirt and shorts. Ernst particularly enjoys sitting out on his terrace and having lunch at least twice a week, even in the coldest months of January and February.

In Montenegrin, the country is known as Crna Gora or Black Mountain. The mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe, reaching heights of around 2,000 metres. The country is also home to diverse and stunning landscapes: from the karst region of Mount Orjen to the Zeta River Valley. As outdoor lovers, Ernst and his wife loves to go hiking to explore the nearby countryside and its flora and fauna. Even at the height of winter, the hills are blanketed in bright yellow mimosa trees and other endemic flowers.The great outdoors are right at his doorsteps and pollution-free air welcomes him every morning.

But these are just the fundamental attractions of Montenegro. For expats, there is a whole world of advantages that would appeal to retirees, vacation home owners or simply location-independent professionals. Montenegro uses the Euro, which is a stable currency. As compared to Western Europe, it is also a relatively cheap place to live and travel, with budget flights servicing the nearby Dubrovnik International Airport in Croatia (only 68km from Budva, Montenegro). Other practical factors include cheap and developed medical treatments and facilities and good banking systems. EU citizens can even have their medical expenses incurred in Montenegro reimbursed by their national health services.

So if you’re considering relocating abroad, be sure to check out Montenegro – Ernst is pretty sure you’ll fall for it too.

Photo |Milachich

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’ Montenegrin hotel invites you to discover history, culture, and tradition that only this country known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean could produce.

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IBEROSTAR New Website Contest

abril 24th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (3 Comments)

We’re so excited to tell you that we launched the new www.iberostar.com website!  Have you had a chance to look at it? What do you think?

Since we are celebrating here at Iberostar, we want YOU to join us! So, we are giving you the chance to win a free hotel stay. You’ll qualify for a chance to win a stay at the Iberostar Anthelia, Tenerife or Playa Bavaro in Punta Cana!

We want you to win so, we’re making it easy!  To get the correct answer you can browse the new website and find them.

How can YOU win?

- You’re not a facebook fan yet, “LIKE” us HERE
 – Click on the contest tab “NEW WEBSITE”
-  Just answer the 3 questions correctly about our new site.

We want you to win so, we’re making it easy!  To get the correct answer you can browse the new website and find them.

Good luck!

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An American in Spain

abril 23rd, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

Ronda, Spain

 

When Christine Medina first moved to Spain in 2009, she had no idea that three years later, she would still be here and absolutely in love with her adopted country.

Christine’s love affair with Spain started out serendipitously. She’d graduated university at the height of the recession – and when her dreams of becoming a corporate slave evaporated before her, she decided to fulfill her other dream: to see the world. So the young Seattleite found work as an au-pair in Spain, packed her bags and ditched her life back at home to embark on this adventure.

Spain just does that to people. It has the power to captivate and then get you hooked to its charms. After almost three years of living in Spain, Christine now works as an English teacher and freelance writer. She shares details of her unconventional life with readers on her website, ChristineinSpain.

La Vida Loca

When asked what she likes most about living in Spain, she said, “I think most people move to Spain for the same reason: the lifestyle. There’s a reason why it’s a lifestyle envied worldwide–Spaniards know how to eat well, drink well and live rather than just exist.”

Christine is based in Algeciras, a port city in the southernmost tip of Spain. It’s just a 1.5-hour drive from the popular beach city of Malaga, which makes it a great place to explore during your Iberostar vacation. Algeciras is also the gateway to Morocco, as it’s just 14km away by boat from the exotic African continent – so if you’re planning to hop over to Morocco, you’re sure to make a stopover here.

On weekends, she’s usually found hiking around the area, meeting friends for tapas or going on short trips to nearby cities. Since moving here, Christine has explored many parts of Spain, her favorite parts include “the landscapes and food of Basque Country, the cosmopolitan-quirk of Barcelona and the rich Moorish history found in Andalusia.” Christine is also a huge fan of San Sebastián as it combines her love for great food, beautiful beaches and chic urban living all in one.

Photo | Nellie Huang

It’s said that Spaniards know how to eat well, drink well and live rather than just exist. When you visit an Iberostar hotel in Andalucía Spain, you will experience the best of Flamenco, gazpacho, and the very best olive oil. Live rather than just exist!

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Albert Memmi’s Book on Tunisia

abril 19th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

Tunis

 

Situated in the heart of Tunisia, the capital city of Tunis is a metrópolis that straddles between the past and present. From the city’s old medina to the suburbs of Carthage, colonial architecture and traditional Arabic edifices are on full display. In the new town, or Ville Nouvelle, modern skyscrapers run along the grand Avenue Habib Bourguiba – a stark contrast to the historical quarters. As the capital city of the country, Tunis is the country’s political and administrative hub.

Past vs Present

While the city’s new town is rapidly expanding due to modernization, the country and its people continue to hold on tight to its past. One of these people include Albert Memmi, a distinguished Tunisian author who has written numerous titles on life in Tunis during its days as a French colony. His first novel, The Pillar of Salt, published in 1953, was particularly recognized.

Born in 1920 into a poor Jewish family living in the Jewish ghetto of Tunis, Memmi wrote about his childhood, growing up in a whirling world of contrasts and the effect of these contrasts on the protagonist who subsequentlys flee the realities. Memmi writes with a searing honesty of his struggle to attain a sense of identity. This quote from his book is a great descrption of how he feels, “I’m a Jew! My home is in the ghetto, my legal status is native African. I come from an Oriental background. I’m poor’. But I had learnt to reject these four classifications.”

In addition to all the problems he grew up with, Memmi plunges the reader deep into the chaos and tragedy of World War Two and the effects of the German presence on the Jewish community in Tunisia. In the concluding chapters of The Pillar of Salt , he describes the hardships endured in the German labor camp and the final escape back to Tunis.

The Present Tunisia

Luckily, Tunisia has come a long way since those days. Having gained independence in 1956, Tunisia has since developed into a safe and historically-rich country. Besides the intriguing capital city of Tunis, there is also a whole world to explore around the country: from the fascinating island of Djerba to the beaches of Hammamet and the Star-Wars-inspired Tozeur. Wherever you choose to go in Tunisia, you’ll be surprised to find a country extremely rich in history and culture.

Photo |Tab59

Whether you’re looking for an adventure vacation or a relaxing break, Tunisia has enough history and diverse natural beauty for everyone. If you want to visit this amazing country book your room at one of the Iberostar Hotels!

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PIÑA COLADA

abril 11th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (0 Comments)
Photo by: DeaPeaJay

Pina Colada

The piña colada Cocktail was a drink created in San Juan Puerto Rico.  Piña colada is the official drink of Puerto Rico. It’s a sweet, rum-based cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, usually served either blended or shaken with ice.  

The secret is to choose the best ingredients to have a great refreshing drink.

Ingredients
8 people

  • 1 liter (4 cups) of fresh pineapple juice
  • 250 ml coconut cream (Rum)
  • Ice
  • Rum (Optional)

 Optional: Add a few drops of vanilla.

 Preparation:

Put the ice, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and the white or dark rum into a blender. Blend until smooth and frosty. Pour the drink into the glasses and garnish the rim with pineapple slices.

Photo | DeaPeaJay on Flickr

A sip of the delicious authentic piña colada may have you booking one of the Iberostar Hotels in the Caribbean before you finish the drink!

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Los Bandoleros: Vin Diesel in the Dominican Republic

abril 10th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in The View - (0 Comments)

fast & furious

Short movies

Those of a certain age might remember when a trip to the cinema usually involved two movies: the one you’d paid to go and see and a short film, usually no more than 15 minutes, that was quite likely a director’s first attempt at getting noticed by a wider audience. Those days are long gone, but look closely and you will find the occasional short film still being produced, often being added as a bonus on a DVD and telling a back-story to the main feature.

Fast and Furious

One such example is the 20 minute movie Los Bandoleros, directed by the one and only Vin Diesel and shot in the Dominican Republic. Action movie buffs and fans of  Vin Diesel films will be familiar with the five The Fast and the Furious films, in which Vin Diesel and friends race a whole array of fast cars, carry lots of bank notes in suspicious sacks and spend most of their time in the company of the type of beautiful girls your parents probably warned you about.

Los Bandoleros served as a prequel to Fast and Furious, the imaginatively-titled fourth installment in the series. At the start of Fast and Furious Dominic (Vin Diesel) and his crew are hijacking fuel tankers in the Dominican Republic, but the reasons for them being in the country are not so clear. This is where Los Bandoleros helps to fill the gap in the story. The short story tells the tale of how the gang reform in the Dominican Republic and includes the small matter of a jail break to get everyone back together.

Perhaps the best thing about short movies such as Los Bandoleros is that they can be watched free of charge and without any fuss. In fact the whole movie is available on Youtube in two installments. The producers are presumably happy for it to be distributed widely as it helps promote the main movie.

The Perfect Beach?

The Dominican Republic also comes out well from Vin Diesel’s short movie. He is a self-confessed admirer of the country and it was no surprise it was chosen as a filming location. Check out the final scenes played out on the stunning Caribbean beach with Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez; you may just want to drop everything and find your own way to this tropical paradise.

Photo: riccardodivirgilio on Flickr

If you ever decide to drop everything and find your way to this tropical paradise, stay at one of the Iberostar Hotels in  Dominican Republic.

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Interview:Wedding Planner in Jamaica

abril 9th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (0 Comments)


We’ve asked Janielle Feurtado to share some of her insights on Destination Weddings in Jamaica.

For people who may not be familiar with you or your work, can you share a bit about yourself, your background, and how you came to be the wedding planner for Iberostar in Jamaica.

 My name is Janielle Feurtado I am 22yrs old. As a child I always found great joy in making people happy.  Hence growing up I realized that the hospitality Industry was the place for me.  After working as the assistant wedding coordinator for another chain of resorts I established that I could make it my career. After all I do possess the profound ability of interaction. Since assuming the my position at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall, I have grown as an individual and have better been able to fulfill every feasible request for my brides and grooms even their  knack for fine detail.

Tell us about the “Grand Promises” package. What does it include, what are the options?

The “Grand Promises” Is a legal ceremony package and is considered as an upgrade from the basic “Promises” package. It covers from 2-10 persons. In taking advantage of this package you will receive amenities upon arrival as well as the day of your wedding special bridal services at the Spa are also included. Please see attached package for further inclusions. How many couples take advantage of the package each year? At least 50-60 couples per year.

Would it be possible to ask a couple of questions of a recently married couple? 

Yes it would be possible to contact a pass couple.  You can contact Mr. & Mrs. Whannell (mandykmuse@gmail.com  for Amanda or mwhannell@gmail.com for Micheal).

How far in advance do you recommend couples book to get their chosen date?

I recommend that as soon as a couple has a specific season or month in mind they start shopping for their desired dates. As “dates go real fast “time which is the most popular month for weddings at the resort?  The month that I would say is the most popular month is July.

How many wedding venues are available on property, what are they, and which is the most popular?

Here at the Grand we have 4 Wedding Locations;

  • The Beach-accommodates up to 200 persons, most popular location
  • The Lobby Terrace- accommodates up to 80 persons. This area is mostly used by brides who want to have the ocean as the back drop in their photos, but not having to deal with sand in their shoes.
  • The Garden Terrace- accommodates up to 20person. This location provides a naturistic atmosphere for those brides who love the “green feel”
  • The Dome- accommodates up to 100 persons. This location is used as a backup location for our weddings in the case of rain. Overtime we have had an influx of brides choosing it as their wedding location. It is ideal for those brides who desire a cathedral feel.

 What’s the most unusual request you’ve had for a wedding package?

The most unusual request…I would have to say would, to have our “Grand Promises package used as the complimentary package. To built a board walk from the stairway leading up the Ach on the beach in order for the couple not to walk on the sand.

Can you share with us a particularly special moment you remember from a wedding on site? And/or a memorable quote or thank-you note you received from a happy couple?

The most memorable moment for me at a wedding was on Oct 21, 2011. When the bride broke in tears after cutting her cake and realizing that it was her favorite cake. The most memorable quote would be “ Janielle laid every petal on the aisle as if each petal had its own place and had to be perfect.”

If you’re planning a Destination Wedding at the IberoStar Hotel in Jamaica don’t hesitate to call Janielle Feurtado. She’ll go above and beyond to make your wedding day perfect!

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Spring Break in Cancun

abril 5th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in The View - (0 Comments)

Vespas Night Club in Funchal

Spring Break Secrets

“What happens on Spring Break stays on Spring Break”, or so the story goes. As a Brit I’ve never been exposed to the American spring break tradition. My American friends assure me that this is a good thing and having watched several TV shows about the infamous college spring break while living in the US I tend to agree. But even as a spring break novice it seems clear to me that the last thing you want to happen is for the folks back at home to know what you got up to on your vacation in Mexico or on the US coast.

Which is why the concept of One Bad Trip is such a strange one. A reality TV show in the finest trashy tradition of the genre, the show sends a ‘lucky’ person on an all-expenses spring break, informing them only that they are being filmed as part of a show for MTV. What they don’t realise is that the producers have invited their nearest and dearest (usually parents but in some cases girlfriends and boyfriends) to observe their wild antics at first hand. These shocked onlookers are then revealed to the subjects at the end of the episode. Cue looks of horror, extreme embarrassment and the odd break-up.

Party in Cancun

Given what appears to be a winning recipe it’s a wonder that One Bad Trip had such a short life, being shelved after only one season in 2004. Cancun and Playa del Carmen were featured as popular Spring Break destinations and despite changes in Americans’ vacation patterns the Yucatan peninsula has remained a favorite destination for young college kids to fly out and let their hair down. The miles of sandy beach, available alcohol (Mexico has a lower minimum age than in the US), and plenty of bars and clubs that cater for the younger crowd have kept Cancun and the nearby resorts top of the list for that all-important spring break.

No More Secrets

With the demise of the show those taking a Cancun spring break are probably relieved to know that that they can now get up to all the things that they would not want their parents to know about without fear of them suddenly appearing with a camera crew at the end of their trip. Then again, perhaps parents no longer need to go to such extreme measures to find out the truth. All they need to do nowadays is log into their son or daughters’ Facebook accounts!

Photo: by Funchal via Wikimedia Commons

The Yucatan peninsula has remained a favorite destination for young college kids to fly out and let their hair down. The Iberostar Hotels are family oriented, so if you decide to go this time a year you wont run into the spring breaker’s!

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