The Amorita Resort in Bohol in the Philippines stands apart from the other resorts on the popular Alona Beach if only because it stands on a low cliff overlooking the beach. One of its two infinity pools looks down on the beach, asking its guests why they would want to mingle with the general public when they have exclusive use of the pool with its well stocked bar adjacent to it.
The resort is about 15 minutes drive from the airport, sometimes called Bohol New International Airport, perhaps to distinguish it from the old airport at Tagbilaran. It may be international but it is still a small airport and travellers move swiftly through it.
And then arrive in the comfortable reception at the Resort to a welcome drink. Pack your swimming trunks where you can easily reach them as the morning flight will deposit you at the hotel before your check in time.
Amorita resort has a selection of rooms, suites and pool villas spread out over the clifftop, giving you a sense of space and enabling you to relax almost immediately you arrive.
Rooms are generously sized, and those on the ground floor (and the pool villas) have good sized patios on which to sit out.
Food and Dining
The main eating area is in a large pavilion by one of the infinity pools
Bohol
Bohol is one of my favourite islands in the Philippines as it contains a little of everything, and something for everyone.
Wildlife is represented by the smallest mammal, the Tarsiers which have a special sanctuary and which is one of the must sees in the Island.
The seas of course teem with marine life, and Bohol is a popular destination for divers, particularly for inexperienced divers.
The Chocolate Hills will satisfy those interested in Geography. The Hills are not of course made of chocolate, but are conical hills rising out of the ground. Their green foliage turns brown in the summer, hence their nickname. A popular excursion is to hire a buggy and drive through them (not over).
“Siempre Mejor.” Always better. It’s why guest keep returning to the Rancho La Puerta
It’s one of the sayings of Edmond Szekely, who co- founded with his wife, Deborah, Rancho La Puerto, now one of the world’s best wellness resorts. It rather sums up what wellness is all about.
You’re not too unfit, too unwell, too old, too tired to start to invest in your health and wellness. You’re not too fit, too well, too young, too active to continue to look after your health and wellness. You can be better today than you were yesterday, whether you’re starting out or continuing.
Becoming a premier wellness resort
The Szekelys started the Rancho La Puerta just south of the Mexican border, about an hour’s drive from San Diego, in 1940. At that time, it was pretty much just a “bring your own tent,” affair, but “Siempre Major” has meant that it has grown into not just one of the first of its kind, but also one of the best and globally recognised wellness resorts.
Many of its clients return year after year with an almost fanatical enthusiasm. And that’s because it delivers what it says it will. You will feel and be better. Being so close to San Diego means that it is a perfect add on to a holiday to California and is very popular with us Brits.
Deborah, who is now in her 90’s and still going strong, puts it like this. “If you want your body to serve you well, then serve it well.” Rancho la Puerta is a bit like a summer camp for adults, although it is open all year round, a School for Living
Activities at the Rancho La Puerta
There is a lot to do, and all focused on personal improvement, be that physical, mental or spiritual.
Let’s start with the spiritual. The Ranch is built near Mt Kuchumaa, a mountain sacred to the Kumeyaay tribe as being the centre of creation and healing. You find a growing sense of going back to the traditional ways of doing things, and in so doing, finding your true purpose.
You might start your day with a morning hike before breakfast. Food is mainly plant based, grown on the Ranch’s organic farm with a little fish from time to time. After breakfast, you might take a yoga, Pilates or meditation session. Or you could do something considerably more vigorous, a run over some challenging terrain, a game of tennis or a work out in the well appointed gym.
After lunch, you could head down to the spa for a variety of relaxing, detoxifying or beauty treatments, or just relax by one of the pools, one of which is Olympic sized. The library has plenty of good books if you fancied improving your mind. Which you could also do with one of a number of classes and lectures they run during the afternoon and evening. The evening will also feature a concert, and plenty of opportunities to build new friendships in the wine or coffee bar. No, you are not required to give up all of life’s little pleasures
Accommodation
Accommodation is in well sized and very comfortable Mexican Casitas, spread out over the Ranch. You may sometimes wonder where everyone is, until you meet up at a meal, a class or activity. Rancho La Puerta is a place where you can do as much or as little as you want. And sometimes it is the simple things in life that give us the greatest reward, like an early morning walk to greet the rising sun. The perfect start to a day where you will be better today than you were yesterday
Rancho La Puerta is one of the wellness resorts I am very happy to recommend to clients from the UK on a holiday to California. It is easily reached via a shuttle bus that the resort puts on to and from San Diego airport. Although it is possible to drive to the resort, I recommend taking the shuttle because they can get you though the Mexican border much quicker than if you were to drive yourself.
For more information on the resort or on any special offers that I might have please just get in touch.
Porto has long been associated with Port, but even if Port is not your drink, there are still so many reasons to visit Porto, and I shall outline a few in this post. A port celebrating Port will have to wait for another time.
The special bond between England and Portugal can be traced back to the Treaty of Windsor in 1386, sealed by marriage between Portuguese King John and an English lady, with English archers helping John win the battle of Aljubarrota.
In 1662, English Charles II married Catherine of Braganza, who is credited with bringing tea drinking to England, perhaps Portugal’s greatest contribution to England.
A claim perhaps disputed by Jose Mourinho, who has lent his special talents to several English football sides.
But the glue that holds our two nations together must surely be port. When the wars between England and France made it difficult for us to import wine from France, who else could we turn to but the Portuguese?They discovered that adding brandy to help preserve the wine created something rather special and so Port was born.
Much of Porto’s culture and tourism is tied up with Port, but there is so much more for the visitor to see and do when you visit Porto. It is a perfect city break being just a few hours flight from the UK and with multiple carriers allowing you choice on times and budget
Lello’s Bookstore
The most beautiful bookstore in the world owes much of its popularity now to Harry Potter, whose English author is said to have been inspired by the shop’s centrepiece staircase. It stands proudly in the middle of the shop and branches out in two wings to the next floor
You now have to pay €5 to enter, with the price being deducted from the cost of a book. There are always queues as it is one of the most visited places in Porto, so it is best to arrive early and without backpacks or large bags.
The Serralves Park
In a city of striking architecture, the Serralves Museum really stands out, a curved slab of white stone. A museum of contemporary art, its displays are intended to spark debate about modern art and the environment. It also houses exhibitions from contemporary artists from around the world. On my visit, I was fortunate that the celebrated photographer, Cindy Sherman, had an exhibition, but as the exhibitions change frequently, there will always be another reason to visit Porto again… apart from the fact that one never sees everything one wants to see.
The museum is situated in a park designed in the French style, featuring sculptures reflecting its art and environment theme. The set up is competed with a pink Art Deco villa.
It is the second most visited museum in Porto with entrance costing €20.
The Rotunda da Boavista
In a quiet garden located inside one of Porto’s busiest roundabouts stands a monument some 148 feet tall. At the top stands the lion of Great Britain and Portugal crushing the Imperial French Eagle.
The best view of the Rotunda, and the 8 streets that converge upon it is from the VIP suite of the adjacent Casa da Musica, the modern concert hall standing in stark contrast to its neo Gothic surroundings.
You can also admire the Azulejo tiles inside the suite, depicting the Dutch heritage of the architect.
Azulejo Tiles
The blue and white tiles that adorn many of the public and private buildings of Porto are among its iconic sights and are considered to be one of the main reasons you should visit Porto. . They can be seen everywhere from private homages to heroes to huge murals on public buildings such as the San Benito railway station, one of the most beautiful in the world, showing scenes from Portugal’s history.
Nearby stands a huge mural depicting poverty along the Douro, showing that Alulejo tiles are a living and current art form
The Douro River
The Douro has played a huge part in Porto’s trade. Barrels of wine were transported down the river in Rabelo boats, before being stored in the Vila Nova de Gaia region of the city.
The wine is now carried by road, and the old boats are used to take tourists up and down the river.
Start by taking the train from San Benito along the river bank to Pinhao. The journey takes just under 2 hours and costs about €13.
Cumeira
Stop off in the village of Cumeira for a taste and feel of traditional Portugal at Come 2 run by the Altrapada family. Get your hands dirty in son Manuel’s pottery shed. Alberto’s passion for rocks and soil is balanced by the mastery his wife Rosa demonstrates in the kitchen with a simple, but oh so delicious meal of rice, mushrooms and pork.
The meal is complemented by Alberto’s wine, and if sufficiently complimentary, you may be treated to some of his 30 year old port.
Guimaraes
The medieval fortress and city is associated with the founding of Portugal in the 11th Century. The fortress is at the top of the hill, with a monastery a little lower down and the cobbled and narrow streets of the town below. The narrow streets lead to wider squares, such as the Largoda da Oliveria and its ancient olive tree where you can pause and take a coffee and pastry.
Porto’s Museum district.
The Museum district provides a great view of Porto’s most famous bridge, the Ponte de Dom Luis, and consists of 7 museums: the Chocolate Story, the Fashion and Textile Museum, the Story of Porto, The Bridge Collection of cups and goblets, the Cork Museum and the rather eccentric Pink museum celebrating all things pink. The museums essentially summarise everything that makes Porto the city it is today.
The food tour
Porto has a lively gastronomic scene, from its “heart attack on a plate”, the Francesinha, a sandwich of various meats covered in melted cheese and a beer sauce right up to elevated Michelin starred restaurants. A food tour will take you through markets and small back street shops where the locals shop and where the shopkeepers will deliver a dollop of gastronomic history on the side.
Mercado Bom Succeso
After a long day on your feet, where better than to sit down and watch the world go by than in a formerly derelict fresh food market. The Mercado has been converted into a bustling centre of restaurants, wine and cheese bars and foot boutiques on the ground floor and offices on the first floor. The well priced, 4 star , musically themed hotel Musica completes the set up.
Conclusion
I have managed to get through an entire post about Porto with barely a mention of one of my favourite drinks, Port. I will feature Port in a subsequent post, but let me finish this visit to Porto with a Porto Tonico cocktail, a white port and tonic with various leaves at the Vila Foz, one of my favourite hotels
If you would like to visit Porto and ensure that you make the most of your visit, please get in touch. I have developed a number of personal relationships with some of the key suppliers as well as some hard to source activities so that you can really get to see and experience the best that the city and the region can offer
I was recently invited by Visit California on a virtual road trip to find out. Well, it’s California so of course it is going to be different to the usual form of travel trade presentations.
As we speed past, on huge immersive screens, the Golden Gate and out of San Francisco towards Silicon Valley, I began to wonder if it was about innovation, with Google and Apple headquartered there.
And then onto perhaps the most well recognised boardwalk in the world, that of Santa Cruz, built in 1907, and the sense of freedom that the birthplace of mainland surfing offers. It also has 14 state parks perfect for a hike and bike vacation.
Maybe it’s the natural beauty of Monterrey County and its commitment to sustainability that’s going to appeal to you.
We then head down to bathe in sunshine and good vibes in Santa Monica, and onto LA.
Sunset Strip and West Hollywood, the Buffalo Springfield and Elton John opening at the Troubador, the Doors at the Whisky A Go Go. Trendsetting wellness and the Design scene, it’s all go here, so let’s shoot off to the sports scene at Anaheim
Time to relax a little with the endless summer of Huntington Beach and its one mile walkable footprint, and then on to find your San Diego smile, the favourite city of outdoor enthusiasts, and its Cali-Baja cuisine.
Round to the 9 cities of Palm Springs, skirting past Joshua Tree National Park.
Giant Sequoias, and mountains, old steam trains and relics from the Gold Rush. Follow me to Toulumne County and Lake Tahoe.
Then we will finish up in the Napa Valley. Well, after that mad dash, we probably need a glass or two of wine.
And by the end of the trip, I had come to realise what makes California so special. It’s not the miles of beaches and the mountains and the cool cities and things to do.
It’s the sense of optimism that infuses this county, perhaps summed up by Thomas Crowley, who in 1892, with his last $80 bought a boat, a newspaper and a bottle of whisky to transport people from the tall ships arriving in San Francisco to the shore and built up todays Red and White Line.
And Warren Simmonds who, in 1973, refused to be put off by the difficulties in renovating Pier 39 and opening a restaurant, difficulties so great that the mayor Dianne Feinstein promised to wear a bikini to his official opening because she knew he couldn’t pull it off. He did. And she kept her promise.
Smiles and vibes, wellness and wine, natural beauty and innovative design, but it is all underpinned by optimism and a sense of “can do.”
2023 promises to be a tough year. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed, it’s time for me to book you into the Fog Harbour Fish House with its views of San Francisco.
The world will look a whole lot better as you tuck into that Dungeness Crab and the Fish Chowder.
Visit California…Can you think of a better New Year’s Resolution?
