Reading Time: 4 minutes

Tahiti and French Polynesia are one of the world’s foremost vacation destinations. One of the most romantic destinations on the planet, these beautiful islands are incredibly popular with couples, newlyweds, and honeymooners. And it’s not hard to see why! Gorgeous vistas, unbelievable beaches, luxurious accommodation, and a fascinating and exciting culture, tahiti really has it all. 

For many people, traveling to Tahiti is something you would really only do as a pair. So many of the famous activities, experiences, and locations are dedicated to couples, so solo travelers are often put off.

But solo travel to Tahiti can be a wonderful experience! There are loads of things you can do and places you can visit that are just as wonderful as a solo traveler as part of a couple, and by avoiding some of the most ‘romantic’ destinations in French Polynesia you can experience under-the-radar treats…and save money too!

So if you are cruising to Tahiti as a singleton and want to experience the best that this beautiful archipelago has to offer, take a look at some of the best tips for adventuring solo to Tahiti. 

Avoid Tahiti and Bora Bora

The entirety of French Polynesia is commonly known as Tahiti, but in reality Tahiti refers to one of the two main islands of the archipelago (the other being Bora Bora). Now, it might seem a little odd to begin an article about the joys of adventuring solo in Tahiti by recommending ‘avoiding Tahiti’ (and this is only a half-serious recommendation), but there is so much to see beyond these two popular islands. Bora Bora and Tahiti are gorgeous, for sure, and many of the classic images of French Polynesia come from here. But almost everything is designed purely for couples and honeymooners, and there are some truly spectacular spots to visit elsewhere! So do spend a few days in Tahiti, and perhaps give Bora Bora a quick visit, but the best thing to do as a singleton in Tahiti is to explore the less famous, less visited islands in the rest of the archipelago. 

Visit Raiatea

Known as ‘the island of faraway heaven’, Raiatea is one of Tahiti’s most beautiful spots, yet remarkably unspoilt and underappreciated by the honeymoon tourism industry. It is the premier location in the islands for yachting, and sailing around the secluded bays and calm water of the islands is an absolute treat. There are hotels, lodges, and guest houses galore, as well as some of the best watersports in the archipelago. For adventurous travelers, the hike up Mount Temehani is a must, as well as exploring the amazing history and culture of Polynesia at Marae Taputapuatea.  

Go scuba diving

Under the water, no-one can hear you say ‘I love you’, so scuba diving is one of the best ways to get away from the couple’s overload and enjoy the extraordinary marine life that calls the waters of the South Pacific home. Almost every corner of French Polynesia boasts incredible scuba diving, but the best can be found off Rangiroa, Fakarava, and Moorea. 

Avoid resorts in Moorea

After Tahiti and Bora Bora, Moorea is the largest and most popular spot in French Polynesia. It is one of the best places for solo travelers to enjoy in the archipelago, as it is incredibly affordable if you avoid the large resorts. Seek out a smaller villa or guest house, mix with the locals, and enjoy stunning sunsets, glorious walks on the beach, and true taste of Polynesian life and culture, away from the romance industry that is so prevalent on Tahiti itself. 

Jennifer

Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

One of the best ways to bring your home décor to life is with some high-quality houseplants. While coming to life might seem like a terrible pun, it is more a reflection of the lift plants gives to your interior design. The texture, colour, height, and layers offered by houseplants can transform a room and add that focal point that gives zing to your things. 

Here we look at some plants that give your interior that look of luxury you are pining for.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

You can buy a Fiddle Leaf Fig small and then watch as it grows up to 6 feet tall. The large waxy leaves give that feel of jungle chic. The best thing about this plant is that you can grow it from cuttings easily enough, and it is easy to care for when kept in the moist and humid air.

As these plants grow so large and can be nurtured from a cutting, they offer great value for money. Remember to identify a space where they can emerge to their full size and give them lots of bright but indirect light. Keep the soil slightly moist, watering them once or twice per week.

Money Tree

A money tree doesn’t grow money, which would break the bank. However, it is an affordable tree and grows into a feature in a room. Your money tree is a hardy plant and difficult to kill, which again is a money saver. It can also grow in full sun or shade and peas at about 1.5 metres tall. Make sure you soak the soil once a week, and your tree will thrive.

Black Velvet Elephant Ear

Seriously, the name alone will add some luxury to your home. Imagine a friend coming over and asking about your plant, and you say, “Oh, that’s just my black velvet elephant ear.” Impressed visitor guaranteed! The plant is also beautiful, with its darker green hue and the stark white of the veins. Its shape is like an elephant’s ear, and the plant can grow up to about 6 feet tall in the right conditions.

This plant is so lovely because, with a little bit more care and maintenance, it will reward you with yellow flowers. So, you get the lush darkness of the leaves and the contrasting delicacy of the flowers.

Make sure you water it twice a week and keep it in partial sun. Be sure to avoid burning the leaves with too much direct sunshine.

Heartleaf Philodendron

These tree-like houseplants are native to Central America and the Caribbean. Already you should be thinking luscious jungle, and you would be right. The leaves are, in fact, heart-shaped and droop long from the central trunk. You can actually propagate this plant in only water, but growing in a hanging basket or a pot placed high in a room is easiest. 

The best thing about this plant is that it can easily be grown from cuttings and thrives best with misting with a sprayer and only slightly moist soil. In short, you can grow it for free, and it is happy to grow – mostly in your bathroom.

Snake Plant

The Snake Plant is hardy and low-maintenance and can easily become a feature in a room with its long, snake-like leaves. It is a plant native to West Africa but positively thrives as a houseplant in the UK’s cooler climate. The leaves can grow as long as 2 metres in length. But what is so great about this plant is that it removes over a hundred pollutants from the air you breathe. Imagine the value of a plant that looks so luxurious and works better than most air filtration units you might choose to buy.

This plant grows well in indirect sun and shade and likes to be watered once a week in the warmer months and only once a month in the colder months. The only big tip is to keep this plant out of cold drafts.

Summary

You can bring the luxurious green lush of houseplants into your home. Most can be grown easily from cuttings, and others are bought small and nurtured to grow into the feature pieces you desire.

Carol

Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Reading Time: 6 minutes

If you are taking your family on vacation, then you are probably wondering what sorts of activities there are for you all to participate in. The kind of activities that you and your family can prepare for your next vacation depends largely upon where, when, and why you are going away. If you are going away for a relaxing trip, for example, you likely won’t want to go hiking or explore ancient ruins. If the weather’s terrible, then you might on the other hand want to check out a museum or go to a spa.

This post will simplify activity preparation for your next vacation, offering a few activities that you should consider planning:

Kayaking

Kayaking is a popular water sport, similar to canoeing. If the place that you are going has rivers, lakes, or is on the coast, then you and your family could go kayaking there. The best part about kayaking is that you don’t need a license or permit, you can just turn up and set your gear up, and then get out on the water. If you are traveling by road to your vacation destination, then a kayak trailer is a great investment. According to distributors from watersportswhiz.com/best-kayak-trailers, a trailer is a much more convenient method of transport than loading kayaks into your car. Before investing in any kayaking equipment, make sure that you extensively research the sport and are confident that you want to try it out.

Hiking

Hiking is another great outdoor activity but doesn’t require any equipment. It’s a good idea to have some hiking boots or comfortable shoes, but you don’t need to go out and buy them if you don’t have any, just know your limits. Like kayaking, you don’t have to have licenses or permits to go hiking, although in some countries trails may be private and non-accessible to the public. If you are caught trespassing on private property and hiking off-limit trails, you could be arrested, fined, or just asked to leave. If you are going hiking in unfamiliar territory, take a map and beware of local animals.

Culture

If outdoor pursuits aren’t your sort of thing, then you could always pursue more cultural affairs, like museums, music, and art. If you are going to a large city, then there’s a very strong chance that there will be some kind of museum or gallery for you to visit. Most large cities also have cathedrals and churches, where musical recitals and performances are sometimes held. Learning about a holiday destination’s culture can be very rewarding, especially if you haven’t ever been there before.

Spa

A spa is an activity that’s more suited to a family that wants to chill out and do nothing. Most hotels and resorts have their own spas, so if you are staying in one then you won’t need to go elsewhere. Most hotels include complimentary spa access in room packages, but if you have got a very basic-level room, then you may need to pay an extra premium to gain access to the spa. A visit to the spa can be a lot of fun, so give it consideration if you just want to chill out.

Swimming

Swimming is an activity that can be either relaxing or intense. Your level of activity determines which it is. If you are going to be spending most of your time in your hotel or resort and don’t want to explore the local community, then it’s highly probable that you will spend most of your time swimming. If you are going to be swimming on a beach, make sure that you learn about the fish swimming around you. In some places, it’s extremely dangerous to go sea fishing, because of fish attacks.

Sea fishing

If you are going to be spending time in a coastal town or resort, then why not go sea fishing? If you haven’t ever been before then you are bound to enjoy yourself. Sea fishing is a very enjoyable activity, especially if you are targeting large animals like sharks. If you aren’t going to be going anywhere that’s near the sea, then you could always alternatively just go fishing in a lake or on a river network. Fishing can be a lot of fun, particularly if you bring your family along with you.

Sporting targets

Sporting targets is a term that refers to clay pigeon shooting, most popular in the United Kingdom, although the sport can be found in nearly every country. Before you can access a shooting range, you will first need to be vetted for criminal convictions. This isn’t always enforced in many places, though. You might just have to sign a form declaring that you don’t rather than having to supply evidence. Sporting targets can be a lot of fun, especially if your family hasn’t ever been shooting before.

Sunbathing

Sunbathing is an activity that’s best suited to people that just want to relax. If you are going to a sunny, tropical island, then it’s highly unlikely that you will want to do anything other than lie down on the beach and chill out. While on the beach, however, you could consider playing volleyball, football, or other ball games with your family. You do have to keep your vacation engaging, especially if you have young children. If you are staying in a coastal resort, then you might be able to go snorkeling. Snorkeling should only ever be performed under the supervision of a professional.

Safari

Safaris are a lot of fun but can’t be accessed in every country. There are only specific countries where one can go on a safari. If you can’t get to a country that offers a safari, then you could always just go to the zoo. Depending on which country you are going to, there could be some incredible animals there. Generally speaking, the more exotic the country, the better the animals. You could also go to a nature reserve, to witness animals in their natural habitat.

With summer just around the corner, many families are starting to plan their upcoming summer vacations. If you are going away for yours, then you need to compile a list of activities for your family to get involved in. If you don’t then your vacation could be boring for them.

Carol

Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.