Ex-Pats in Panama's Paradise

Written by Jim Hollister


Ex Pats In Panama’s Paradise Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/panama/panamonte/panamonte.html

The Panamonte Inn & Spa is a place of stories from a century of travelers going back almost torepparttar founding of Boquete itself in 1911. It tells of visits by American Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Nixon,repparttar 137411 Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, actors Sean Connery and Ingrid Bergman. Antarctic explorer Admiral Richard Byrd visited as did aviator Charles Lindberg, who flew here to Chiriqui Province inrepparttar 137412 Western Highlands of Panama in 1928. More recently Panamonte has beenrepparttar 137413 inn of choice for international travelers coming mainly from Europe,repparttar 137414 U.S. and Canada , and for Panamanians who hoprepparttar 137415 one-hour flight from Panama City on weekend escapes.

Opened in 1914, its rustic structure may be affectionately described as "Scandinavian cottage", perhaps "Russian dacha". Its accommodations are home-style and comfortable, ranging in size from small, twin-bed spaces to larger efficiencies with wet bars and private patios. The cozy 19 rooms are attractively furnished and reminiscent of an earlier time in highland travel. In 1946repparttar 137416 inn was acquired byrepparttar 137417 Elliot-Collins family and it is now operated byrepparttar 137418 current descendant, Mrs. Inga Collins. When in residence she is often found atrepparttar 137419 stone fireplace inrepparttar 137420 recently redecorated cocktail lounge where she is known to share stories onrepparttar 137421 history ofrepparttar 137422 inn,repparttar 137423 region’s natural attractions, and its native people.

In fact,repparttar 137424 cocktail lounge is one ofrepparttar 137425 great rooms in Boquete and a draw for guests and locals who gather most nights to share their day’s adventures. With two roaring stone fireplaces,repparttar 137426 décor extendsrepparttar 137427 inn’s European flavor by adding a little California and a dash ofrepparttar 137428 Old West. Spanish-style wrought iron lamps, brass candles, and sheer, floor-length curtains frame large, open windows. Overstuffed couches and wicker chairs addrepparttar 137429 right degree of casual comfort. Throughoutrepparttar 137430 room fresh Bird of Paradise are set in large vases. The lighting is romantic andrepparttar 137431 mood completed with aromas of highland air and oranges wafting in from outdoors. You might imagine Connery or Bergman sidling up torepparttar 137432 new, exquisitely-made hardwood bar,repparttar 137433 work of design consultant Michelle Fogarty de Brewer who also conceivedrepparttar 137434 room’s redecoration. Overall,repparttar 137435 design is a sophisticated balance of mountain and tropical elements that fit wonderfully withrepparttar 137436 inn’s unfussy elegance.

There is an atmosphere of excitement in Boquete with travelers feeling like they’ve arrived early torepparttar 137437 next great getaway. It’s common in conversation to reference Costa Rica as being “over”, while Panama is consideredrepparttar 137438 rising star. Inrepparttar 137439 last two years Boquete has realized something of a land rush beginning with its selection as one ofrepparttar 137440 Best Places to Retire by Modern Maturity and International Living magazines. Its location at 3,500 feet, nestled inrepparttar 137441 craggy hills belowrepparttar 137442 dormant Baru Volcano and year around temperatures of 75—85 degrees are idyllic. Stories have appeared in travel features ofrepparttar 137443 LA Times, New York Times, Boston Globe, and others. Once considered a tiny hideaway inrepparttar 137444 distant Republic of Panama , Boquete is officially on travelers' radar screens. Europeans, mostly Swiss, Germans, and Yugoslavs, along with English and Canadians, began moving here inrepparttar 137445 earliest years ofrepparttar 137446 twentieth century and were instrumental inrepparttar 137447 development ofrepparttar 137448 coffee industry and establishment ofrepparttar 137449 town. Of a total population of around 4,100repparttar 137450 new ex-pat community in Boquete is estimated to be as large as 600 and growing everyday.

The Panamonte Inn & Spa is ideally situated atrepparttar 137451 edge of town atrepparttar 137452 head ofrepparttar 137453 main street as you drive in. It’s close enough to walk torepparttar 137454 shops and bodegas, but still a little away fromrepparttar 137455 traffic and noise. Just beyond its covered main entrance, pastrepparttar 137456 reception hall andrepparttar 137457 restaurant is one ofrepparttar 137458 Panamonte’s real gems: a garden bounded byrepparttar 137459 back portion ofrepparttar 137460 inn and its cabanas, all connected by covered walkways. The result is a semi-secluded retreat joyously filled with several flower varieties, verdant green trellises, a water fountain, and clusters of comfortable outdoor furniture. Hammocks tucked under overhanging trees provide cozy places to escape for siesta. On a line strung between two ivy-covered trees we found dozens of dark-brown bark chunks sprouting new orchids. Inrepparttar 137461 dewy mornings all manner of tropical birds can be heard chirping inrepparttar 137462 new day. These are some ofrepparttar 137463 same reasons to considerrepparttar 137464 Panamonte Estates, a development of 26 home sites on a new road adjacent torepparttar 137465 inn. The exclusive enclave is situated in a prime location with beautiful mountain views and in-place infrastructure designed to support a range of hacienda- or Caribbean -style homes to be built byrepparttar 137466 owners. Nearly halfrepparttar 137467 properties are already sold with prices for most remaining sites ranging from about $66,000 — $92,000. Four are priced from $103,000 — $145,000.

Panama is home to some ofrepparttar 137468 most pristine tropical rainforest inrepparttar 137469 world. In a country of less than 30,000 square miles (smaller thanrepparttar 137470 state of Maine) there are over five million acres of national parks and nearly one-third ofrepparttar 137471 country is set aside for conservation. Panama has over 1,500 islands along its Atlantic and Pacific coasts andrepparttar 137472 two oceans are so close together, you can swim in bothrepparttar 137473 same day.

The diversity of flora and fauna is so great there are hundreds of species found nowhere else on earth. A naturalist and bird watchers' paradise, there are a recorded 944 bird species, 218 mammal species, 226 species of reptile and 164 amphibian species. It’s no wonder that visitorA Guide torepparttar 137474 Birds of Panama: With Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Hondurass to Boquete spend a good portion of their time in outdoor activities, includingrepparttar 137475 most exciting whitewater rafting in Central America (Seerepparttar 137476 accompanying feature, Panama ’s Best Chiriqui River Rafting.) The inn can arrange excursions torepparttar 137477 magnificent 11,490’ Baru Volcano, Caldera Hot Springs, bird watching onrepparttar 137478 Quetzal Trail, horseback riding, cloud walking throughrepparttar 137479 forest canopy or visits to one ofrepparttar 137480 1,200 coffee farms or “fincas” that dotrepparttar 137481 hillsides around Boquete.

Holiday Comparison - Private Owner Villa Vs Package Holiday Hotel

Written by Darren Cronian


So what arerepparttar advantages of booking a holiday home direct withrepparttar 137344 owner over hotel? Firstly, you are renting a holiday home fromrepparttar 137345 owner, who wants to ensure your stay atrepparttar 137346 apartment, cottage or villa is as enjoyable as possible - so you will stay with them again, and recommend them to your friends.

The owner has "in depth" knowledge ofrepparttar 137347 holiday home and local area, which gives you access to accurate advice - not justrepparttar 137348 "travel agent" script from someone who has never visitedrepparttar 137349 area. Since you are booking direct, there is no travel agent commission on top of your holiday price, which means lower holiday costs.

Airport transfers can be arranged with eitherrepparttar 137350 Management Company, who look afterrepparttar 137351 property, orrepparttar 137352 owner - who can usually recommend reliable, low cost, local companies There are hundreds of holiday rental websites for you to discoverrepparttar 137353 full range of holiday accommodation available, and withrepparttar 137354 growth of low cost airlines, getting to your favourite resort has never been more affordable.

One ofrepparttar 137355 main benefits of renting a private holiday home is havingrepparttar 137356 space to do whatever you please.....or do nothing. So every family member can haverepparttar 137357 holiday "they" want. Privacy in another huge consideration - no sharingrepparttar 137358 pool with strangers, booking sun beds - as there are enough for everyone, and no "other guests" throwing their towels ontorepparttar 137359 sunbeds fromrepparttar 137360 10th Floor at 5am or barging torepparttar 137361 front ofrepparttar 137362 queue for breakfast whilerepparttar 137363 rest of us wait patiently in line.

Extras, available at some holiday homes,include a jacuzzi, games room, computers, games console etc so no more "I'm bored" from teenagers. So a holiday home is ideal for families.

"What makes a holiday home better than a hotel?"

The advantages, especially for a family, are endless. The amount of space you have in a holiday home to chill out or be alone is just like home. Everybody can do their own thing be it watching TV or a DVD, playing a game or reading a book or magazines. Some holiday homes have their own pools and games rooms or they have a number of large community pools with activities like Basketball, Volleyball, pool or gyms. That should keeprepparttar 137364 kids amused which is almost impossible when you are all cramped up in hotel rooms.

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