A Guide to Luxury Travel

Escape to Africa: This exploration of remote West Africa calls to the adventurous and curious traveler who wants to go where few have gone before. Mossi villages, Dogan communities and artesian markets are just some of the sights you can experience on a 15-day trip through West Africa. Spend two days sailing along the Niger River from Mopti to Timbuktu in your traditional pinasse. As you drift downstream, take once-in-a-lifetime pictures of wildlife roaming about. Wander through Bozo villages and experience the life of a herdsman. Watch camel caravans cross the Sahara and explore the ancient mud mosques that Timbuktu offers.

Days 1-3
Begin your West African journey in the capitol of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou. Here, meet with your guide for a welcome dinner and trip orientation to kick off a two-week adventure you will not soon forget. Make your way to the Village Artisanale the following morning, where the spirit of Burkina Faso comes to life through wood carvings, jewelry, textiles, traditional musical instruments and much more.

After enjoying the local market you will travel to the border of Ghana, where you will meet the Gurunsi tribe, famous for their extraordinary abstract African frescoes. As night falls, gather around a fire while listening to the tribe beat tom-toms and share their age-old oral tradition through stories and riddles.

Today you journey through the African savannah to encounter the villages of the Mossi people. This ancient people celebrate the longest royal dynasty in West Africa, just shy of a millennium. With the day far from over, you will continue on to the rural town of Ouahigouya. Founded in 1757, this town was originally formed as the capitol of Yatenga, an old Mossi kingdom. Spend the rest of your day enjoying the local culture, visiting the Yatenga Naba compound, Naba Kongo's tomb or simply relaxing by the Hotel de L'Amitie pool.

Days 4-6
Continue your exploration through the Dogon Lowlands and on to the Dogon cliffs. Many of the small communities you will encounter in the Dogon are incredibly rich culturally, as their remote locations ensure very little influence from outsiders. This fascinating community is recognized for the genius of its abstract artwork, ritual dance, musical instruments and masks. You will feel like you are one of the tribe as you are permitted to experience the thrill of a true masked dance. Skillfully designed, these masks can reach up to 15 feet in height. If the stunning masks weren't enough, these talented people will climb to an exhilarating height to dance on stilts, making this a highlight of your incredible West African experience.

Day 7
On this day you will move on to Djenne, a city situated on the Niger River, known for its awe-inspiring architecture and colorful weekly market. At one time a mecca of learning and trade, this city has a beautiful Afro-Arab design and is the oldest known city in sub-Saharan Africa. Here you will find the largest clay building in the world, the magnificent Great Mosque. Designed in the Sudanic style, this gigantic and truly amazing clay mosque is one of Unesco's World Heritage sites.

Day 8
Mopti, known as the "Venice of Africa," is made up of three islands. This vibrant city is filled with many cultures, and you will encounter Bozo fisherman, Dogon, Bambara, Bella farmers and more. Here you will take in all of the sights, with a walking tour of the town. Along the way you will have the opportunity to visit blacksmiths, antique dealers and behold a melting pot of people clothed in an assortment of dress from white Islamic robes to colorful African robes called boubous.

Days 9-10
Board a thatch-roof pinasse to journey down the Niger River. Your very own chef will prepare delicious meals aboard the boat, as you float from village to village. On the Niger there is a plethora of wildlife for you to enjoy as many aquatic birds and zebu call the river home. Niafounke, will be your final river destination, tomorrow you head of into the desert.

Days 11-13
Your next two days will be filled with the surreal experience of caravanning through the Sahara desert, alongside nomadic tribes and rolling sand dunes. Should you meet up with the nomadic Taureg and Maur people they will accord you with the genuine hospitality that is customary here. Many archealogical sites also still inhabit in the desert, bearing witness to ancient cultures that once populated this region.

As you continue on your expedition, climb up onto your own camel to travel across the sand to the only inhabited outpost: Araouane. Founded in the 11th century, this place does not see visitors often, and the presence of newcomers is an event worthy of a special lunch, hosted by the local chef. After filling up on local cuisine you will embark on the final leg of your desert excursion, and travel to Timbuktu.

Days 14-15
In Timbuktu you will tour the city, and visit the oldest clay building in Africa, the Djinguereber Mosque. Built in 1327, this mosque was erected as a learning center. In this city you can wander the energetic markets, and soak up the spirit of the town known as the "end of the world."

On your last day, you will fly to the capital of Mali: Bamako, a city exploding with life and color. Here you will find bazaars, street sellers, and markets with everything from fruit to artwork on display. Spend the rest of your day shopping for last minute artifacts and strolling through the ethnographic museum, which houses ancient art, traditional weapons, musical instruments, tools, and more.

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The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is made up of many small islands in the Caribbean that is east of Puerto Rico. The BVI major islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada. Tortola is the largest island and the center of most yachting activity. More than 60 islands make up the entire BVI, as there also are many secluded islands, islets, and cays. The lush tropical zone is a haven for both water-sports enthusiasts and those seeking to do nothing but sunbath and eat.

Today we look at the Caribbean's BVI. Rest assured that other island destinations are forthcoming. Rest assured that coverage of additional Caribbean hotspots is forthcoming.

Luxury Hotels in British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda's Biras Creek Resort consists of 33 suites on Bercher Bay on a 140-acre estate. It is called a resort but it is more like a private community. The spa and restaurant at the harbor are fabulous. The resort just completed a million-dollar makeover before reopening in October. The ocean and garden suites are mini-mansions. Peter Island Resort has been named as one of the world's top resort by both Travel + Leisure magazine and Condé Nast Traveler. A recent multimillion-dollar makeover enriched the resort's tropical charm. A new villa and a spa have been added.

The exclusive Guana Island resort is seven beaches spread over 850 acres with cottages and villages for only 32 guests. There are numerous water-related sporting activities as well as biking and hiking trails. The establishment is serious about making this resort a world apart, as the rooms do not have telephones or televisions.

Best Restaurants in British Virgin Islands
The Brandywine Bay Restaurant reserves four moorings for drop-in guests. However, the easily approachable moors support yachts up to 50 feet only. The menu, which is masterfully prepared by owner/chef Davide, changes daily. Additionally, check out Davide's other place, the Capriccio di Mare, an Italian café promises the best pizza in the entire Caribbean! The Eclipse Restaurant and the Luna Lounge are a package deal. The Eclipse offers an "eclectic-fusion cuisine" (i.e., unique dishes) and an extensive wine list. The restaurant is located in Fat Hog's Bay of Penn's Landing Marina on Tortola. The Pavilion at the Rosewood Dix Bay is an open-air restaurant that serves up elaborate breakfast and lunch buffets as well as a dinner menu of Caribbean-influenced dishes. The breathtaking view alone is worth the price of admission.

To Do in British Virgin Islands
Is there a better part of the world in which to charter a yacht than the BVI? Island hop; take a tour; go fishing; go sailing; go snorkeling, scuba diving, or skiing. BVI Yacht Charters, Horizon Yacht Charters, and North South Vacations are three seaworthy chartering companies to consider. Why not try some island hopping via a chartered helicopter? Island Helicopter offers custom flights and tours with hourly and daily rates available.

How about trying something that does not involve the water while staying in the Caribbean? There is a 92-acre national park on Tortola Island around Sage Mountain. The mountain peak is the highest of the Virgin Islands at 1,740 feet. There also are national park trails on Virgin Gorda Island. Parasailing is a fairly new sporting activity to the BVI. A parasailing boat leaves from Soper's Hole Marina in the west end of Tortola from Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda. The info was brought to you by- of all places no less- the BVI Scuba Organization.