​As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, Cape Town is a city that has a lot to offer. This South African gem has countless things to do and see, from its beautiful beaches to breathtaking landscapes. Here are just a few of the many diverse activities and sights that Cape Town has to offer. 1. Table Mountain: Perhaps the most iconic feature of Cape Town, Table Mountain is a must-see attraction. This flat-topped mountain looms over the city and provides stunning views of the harbor and surrounding areas. If you feel adventurous, you can take a cable car to the top or hike to the summit. 2. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront: This bustling harbor area is the perfect place to shop, eat, and enjoy a night out. With a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is one of the most popular areas in Cape Town. 3. Robben Island: The island is forever linked with Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned there for 18 years during apartheid. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and tour the prison, lighthouse, church, and other landmarks. 4. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: This beautiful garden is home to thousands of South African plant species and is a great place to walk, relax, and take in the beauty of the natural surroundings. Some highlights include the Tree Canopy Walkway, which offers stunning garden views, the Cape Floristic Region, and the Boomslang. This elevated walkway allows visitors to get closer to the trees. 5. The Cape of Good Hope: This beautiful peninsula is a must-see for any Cape Town visitor. Located at the southernmost point of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope offers stunning views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. Visitors can also stroll in the Cape Point Nature Reserve or spot local wildlife. 6. Boulders Beach: This beautiful beach is home to a colony of African penguins and is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, and even take a guided tour to learn more about the penguins and their habitat. 7. Wine Tours: Cape Town is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and is known for its exceptional wine. Visitors can take a wine tour to visit famous vineyards and taste some of the best wines in South Africa. Some famous vineyards include Groot Constantia, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. 8. Muizenberg Beach: This popular surfing spot is a great place to catch some waves or paddle in the sea. Located just a short drive from Cape Town, Muizenberg Beach has a colorful beach hut culture and is a favorite spot for photographers. 9. The Bo-Kaap: This historic area of Cape Town is home to brightly colored houses and cobbled streets. The Bo-Kaap is also famous for its traditional Cape Malay cuisine, which visitors can sample at local restaurants. 10. Two Oceans Aquarium: Located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Two Oceans Aquarium is home to fascinating marine life, including sharks, penguins, and rays. Visitors can take a guided tour or interact with some animals in the touch pool. These are just a few of the many things to do and see in Cape Town. With so many diverse attractions and experiences, this city truly has something for everyone. Whether interested in history, nature, or just relaxing on the beach, Cape Town is a destination to experience.

Reservations are open for 2021 sailings. Contact me to reserve your cabin or suite! jharaty@adventureluxurytravel.com, call or text 413-237-0281, or fill out the Client & Request For Information Form

These are killer Suites made for all ages but Millennials will find them perfect for their lifestyle!

​RockStar SuitesRockStar living so audaciously cool you might be tempted to smash a guitar (but maybe don't).
FEATURES

• Private transfer to/from ship
• RockStar Agent service
• In-room bar, on us
• Richard’s Rooftop membership

CABIN TYPE  Massive Suite
SIZE (INC TERRACE)  3,464 sq ft 
CAPACITY 4
UNIQUE FEATURES
The most extra of the Mega RockStar Suites, this one truly lives up to the name. Watch the waves from your terrace hot tub; host your new (or old) friends in the private lounge bar or make history starting your own band (yes, electric guitars included). Lose yourself in the music, and find yourself again the next morning meditating alongside the waves on your sprawling personal terrace.

CABIN TYPE Fab Suite
SIZE (INC TERRACE)  1,211 sq ft 
CAPACITY   4
UNIQUE FEATURES
The suite for the host(ess) with the most(est), and we mean that quite literally. Whether you're into wellness retreats under the terrace sun, or serving up negronis at the bar while listening to tunes from your own vinyl library, this suite has it all. And when your friends are gone, you'll be stuck with the age-old problem of whether to relax in the fully-marbled Peek-a-Boo shower or rinse off on your terrace under the moonlight.

CABIN TYPE Posh Suite
SIZE (INC TERRACE)  1,094 sq ft 
CAPACITY  4
UNIQUE FEATURES
An outdoor champagne (chilled, of course) table is the perfect spot to admire the view from your suite. With an expertly designed layout enhanced by our high-tech mood lighting, a tricked out terrace, and floor-to-ceiling marble bathroom, this one's perfect for the posh traveler. Feeling romantic? A stargazing lounger and our Peek-a-View outdoor shower are perfect for a couple (or two) looking to reconnect.

CABIN TYPE Gorgeous Suite
SIZE (INC TERRACE)  744 sq ft 
CAPACITY 4
UNIQUE FEATURES
The Gorgeous Suite takes relaxation to the next level. The hammock swing chair is the perfect spot to enjoy a nightcap while you watch the moon flirt with the waves. And if you get bored out on the terrace (😆... can you imagine), lose yourself in the massive European king bed while drifting to sleep to the sounds of the waves (or your vinyl record player).

 Amazing perks:
Prime location
You're at the center of everything, just a stone's throw from Richard's
Rooftop

Peek-a-View Shower
Can't bear to part with the waves? Rinse off in our terrace shower under the moonlight.

Raise the bar​
Beers, red, white, rosé, bubbles? Tell us your party starters and we'll stock your bar appropriately.

RockStar rider
Tell us what you want (what you really, really want). A personalized rider to match your many moods.

Private transfer
All suites include a private transfer to whisk you to and from our ship in Miami.

RockStar Agents
​Personal service so good your agent will know what you want before you do.

Live it up!
When you're at our port and want something extra special, we'll be extra to make it special.

You're in
Membership to Richard's Rooftop, our exclusive sundeck, is reserved for you. So if you've got it, flaunt it (the others will be).

 OK, Good Saturday to you! I am going to have to speed this up as the booking window opening is Valentine's Day, February 14th. Isn't that fitting for an Adults Only cruise line!!

Continuing with the interior cabins are those that are available for three and four guests (Sailors, remember?). They are larger than the solo cabins and beautifully appointed, as were the solo cabins. Same amenities, same rain shower in the head, etc.

These are actually the beds and they can be moved in any configuration you want them at night! The third or fourth sailors sleep in the fold down beds in the walls above.

The Insider
Size 177 sq ft
Accommodates 3 Max
This cocoon-like cabin is the one for you if you're a fan of late nights and sleeping in until after lunch. It's super cozy and ideal for a couple.
Social Insider
Size 177 sq ft
Accommodates 4 Max
This cocoon-like cabin is ideal if you're a fan of late nights and sleeping in until after lunch. It's super cozy and ideal for a group of friends.​

Set The MoodNo one needs bright lights the morning after the night before – our lighting adjusts perfectly to the time of day.

Clever CabinsTricked out with tech to make your life easier. And cooler.
​

As promised yesterday, we are going to discuss the ins and outs of the Scarlet Lady beginning with the inside cabins. Virgin Voyages tends to stick with the true nautical terms for their ships, therefore, they are cabins and not staterooms, as they have been called lately by other cruise lines to make them sound luxurious, but they are still cabins! 

The Solo Insider is a great deal for those single sailors (Virgin Voyages term for the guests on the ship. I told you, they just love sticking with the old nautical terms!), looking for peace and quiet or one who loves to party and is never in their room. They are like a cacoon that just envelopes you with that warm and protected feeling but have all the amenities without the full single supplement charge. :) 

​CABIN TYPE
Solo Insider
SIZE 
105 sq ft 
CAPACITY
1
UNIQUE FEATURES
This cocoon-like cabin is the one for you if you're a fan of late nights and sleeping in until after lunch. It's super cozy and ideal for solo travelers.

Hangover and Chill
Don't fancy leaving your cabin at all? Stay in, order room-service and check out everything on offer.

• Roomy Rainshower
• Mood lighting
• Steamer & hairdryer
• Fully stocked mini bar
• Large flat-screen HDTV

Tomorrow, the scoop on the inside cabins for 2-4 sailors!

Adventure Luxury Travel has just been notified that they have been allowed/accepted to sell the wonderful new Richard Branson project, Virgin Voyages. This is a luxury cruise line that will shatter your ideas about a luxury cruise.  

I know when most people hear luxury cruise, they immediately think, formal, stuffy, and overly expensive. This ship, named the Scarlet Lady, shatters all those preconceived notions! No dress codes, no formal nights, no main restaurants. You can eat at any of the many specialty restaurants on board, and you know what? NO surcharge, everything is included in your cruise cost. There will be no nickel and diming on this ship! Oh, and did I mention it is an all adult cruise line? This will be great for romantic adventure or a fabulous Honeymoon.  There is plenty of quiet spots throughout the ship. 

Even though this ship will not set sail until 2020, we have been given access to some pictures of the ship and the interior of the cabins and suites. I will be giving everyone a peek at these wonderfully designed cabins and suites in the coming days. They even have solo cabins for adult singles to enjoy this great coming cruise line. It even has a roomy rain shower in the head (bathroom for you non-Navy sailors and Marines). If they put this thought into the solo cabins, imagine what the suites look like!

Stay tuned for more news on this exciting new cruise line to debuting in 2020. If you would like to among the first to sail on this beautiful ship, the Scarlet Lady, please fill out the Client Information Form for more information on sail dates, itineraries, and cost. 

Adventure Luxury Travel (formerly Jon's Dive & Travel Services) had their recurring, South Africa, Small Group Cape Town & Kruger Private Reserve Adventure lead by Jon Haraty, a Certified South Africa Travel Expert. Our Group of 9 met at JFK Airport on the morning of August 5th. After introductions, we prepared to board our South African Airways flight to Johannesburg. I always recommend South African Airways for several reasons. First they have the most legroom in coach than any other carrier to Africa. Second, the flight from JFK is a direct flight into Johannesburg and it is the only one leaving in the morning, meaning you can arrive in Johannesburg, go through customs and immigration and catch your local flight to Cape Town, arriving in the afternoon with plenty of time to explore the waterfront and eat.

After our 15 hour flight, where we were treated to South African wines, fine food, and a fantastic entertainment system, we deplaned in Johannesburg went though customs and collected our luggage, exchanged or US Dollars for South Africa Rands. (Hint: if you are exchanging money, make sure you check the exchange fee as well as the exchange rate. What looks like a great deal my not be.) The current exchange rate is excellent! Your Us Dollars will go a lot further than several years ago.

The group now proceeded to find the SAA counter to check our luggage again for out domestic flight to Cape Town. We then walked around the large airport a bit before proceeding to our departure gate for our flight to Cape Town. (hint: do not accept help to get to your next gate after going through customs. There are many people that will offer to help you navigate the airport and even try to carry your bags. Don't accept any help! They will take you and then demand money and if you don't give them enough, they will harass you until you do!!)
Stay tuned for Day One in Cape Town in our next Blog Post!
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If you are interested in Jazz and cruising, please take a look at the article below, which explains some of the differences Jazz cruisers see between the 3 different Jazz Cruises offered. This is an article from the Jazz Cruise Weekender Newsletter 03/17/2018. To select your Jazz Cruise for 2019 (2018 sold out a year in advance.) Don't wait, select your 2019 cruise now.  http://www.adventureluxurytravel.com/jazz-cruises.html  Happy St Patrick's Day!!!

Our Take: Why Do We Categorize Music, Particularly Jazz?


The Weekender is delivered to more than 125,000 people weekly, all of whom have expressed an interest in one of our jazz cruise programs, The Jazz Cruise, Blue Note at Sea and The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Though the extent of the angst seems to be waning, the interplay among fans of these various cruises is fun to follow. They bicker over the place in the spectrum of their favorite cruise and challenge the bona fides of the others. Here is the truth. Each genre has its own merits and drawbacks, but, in the end, good music is good music.

Today, marks the end of the second week of The Smooth Jazz Cruise '18, the 15th Anniversary of that cruise. The headliners on the cruise were "elected" by the guests during the summer of 2016 and both sailings have been fully subscribed since early 2017. The music was spectacular. Each night was filled with talented headliners presenting their show backed up by a cadre of equally amazing band members. The music moved you to dance, to get up on your feet and to appreciate with thunderous applause. The collegial atmosphere of the musicians fostered many guest appearances by them in the shows of the others. Never knowing who might "pop-up" at any one time was part of the joy of the music. Strong melodies, dominant grooves and, for the most part, upbeat tempos dominated the music offerings. The cruise is billed as The Greatest Party at Sea and the Artists delivered. 

Despite the fact that over 4,000 passengers (2,000/cruise) went home happy and thrilled, the "what do we call this music" cloud continued to hang above our heads. "Smooth Jazz" was a radio station music director's stab at unifying what was then a new form of instrumental music. Few monikers have been more inaccurate or more detrimental to a product than "smooth jazz." Granted, some of the early offerings were gentle and mood setting instrumental music, often maligned as being "elevator music". Kenny G is the poster child for this image, of course.

As the years have gone by, the music has become more R & B and Funk. The character of the music is driven more by the individual artist than by a genre. Each of our headliners has their own music quite frankly. Perhaps there are some musical conventions that still govern the production of this music, but they seem to be fewer and fewer. The "smooth jazz" movement is now a coalition of musicians who had been selected by "smooth jazz" radio stations years ago. They continue to develop and expand their horizons, and, if you were to compare their music now with their earlier works, you should find the differences to be significant. 

The "smooth jazz" artists are spectacular musicians, great showmen and near the top of the food chain when it comes to engagement of their fans. If I could come up with a name for the cruise that more accurately fit what is happening I would, but, being the 1st cruise of its kind and nature, we will continue to call it The Smooth Jazz Cruise, mainly as a tribute to the artists who built that music genre and whose skills, talents and dedication continue to produce amazing music that the fans just love!

Our Take is written by Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of Entertainment Cruise Productions. ​

After our flight to Turks & Caicos and van ride to Beaches Resort, we were dropped off directly at our village. We were immediately greeted with a drink and a cool moist cloth to clean our hands and face for that refreshing island feeling!

​Our concierge then greeted us and invited us into the lobby and a table for a private check-in. One of the privileges of the Concierge Suites. After check-in and a brief introduction to the property, we were taken by our Concierge to our Italian Village Concierge Suite with Kids Room. The Italian Village is our favorite village at the resort. All the others are great, and each has its own flavor, but the pool and swim up bar are the BEST! Also very easy access to the best strip of beach in the Turks and Caicos. 

After the pool and a quick check of the ocean, we went back to the rooms to change for dinner. Linda wanted to eat at the French Restaurant in the French Village. It has great food and excellent service. We had another fabulous meal that is no cost at this Luxury Included resort. We then watched a show at the open air theater, where the Muppets hold their shows during the day and at night they have very good family entertainment.

We then strolled over to the ice cream shop where we got hand made sundaes and shakes. In the back of the shop is the Burgers, Hot Dogs, and Pizza, for a quick bit to eat if you want it. The kids love this place!

After, we strolled back to our rooms and it being a long day of flying and walking to the different villages in the resort, we called it a night!