I’ve been traveling a lot lately, and have been having a love/hate relationship with my phone on every single international trip. I love that I can take photos without lugging a camera, and I love that I can check email in my hotel. But I hate that I have to worry about ridiculous charges, so I end up turning off my cellular data unless I’m in a place that has wifi. Then I have to turn it on and remember to turn it back off again before the charges start creeping in.
It becomes a source of stress, which is the last thing anyone wants on vacation.
I was complaining about this to someone on my last trip and she told me to look into Recharge.com. If you get a prepaid phone with a local carrier — which is usually pretty inexpensive — you can then buy phone credit on their site and top it up instantly whenever you need it. This seems like a great option, and one I will definitely be looking into.
While we were talking, we somehow segued into a conversation about our own favorite places to recharge! I loved hearing her suggestions, which I’m going to share here. The only one I’ve been to is Dubai but, after hearing her descriptions, I’m sold.
Kaafu Atoll
Kaafu Atoll is a division of the Maldives. Oh yes, the Maldives, where that gorgeous picture of Paradise Island Resort, above, was taken. If you’ve never heard of Kaafu Atoll, it’s probably because when you think about the Maldives, you only think of uninhabited bounty beaches, not the names of all those individual islands full of beautiful white sand, palm trees and amazingly clear water. So, why Kaafu Atoll when all of the Maldives is equally beautiful? Well, Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is also a part of Kaafu Atoll. So when you’re enjoying your private hut by the beach and a fresh coconut drink at your five star hotel, you can also go into the city! Malé is the heart of all commercial activities in the Maldives.
Dubai
When you say Dubai, you say luxury. Dubai is one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates. The capital city of Dubai is also called Dubai, and is known for its skyscrapers, beautiful luxurious hotels and the seemingly endless Jumeirah Beach. Dubai has two seven star hotels and a lot of other luxurious multiple star hotels where you can enjoy your well-earned me-time. You can lay on the beautiful beach, shop at the biggest shopping mall in the world, or just enjoy the decadent lifestyle. This is a great place for people watching!
Lake Como
When you want to visit one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, see the most beautiful villas and enjoy some well-deserved spa time, you absolutely have to visit Lake Como. The lake is of glacial origin in Lombardy and is the third largest lake in Italy. Many Hollywood stars have experienced the luxury of Lake Como, including George Clooney who owns his own villa here. The lake area is known for its wildlife, water sports and, most importantly, its spas!
Bodrum
Bodrum is one of the many beautiful cities alongside the Turkish coastline. With its long list of five star hotels and beautiful surroundings, Bodrum is known among famous Turks as one of the best holiday spots in their country. This city has many beautiful beaches like the popular Bitez Beach and Yahşi Beach. There are also some hidden gems like beautiful Hurma Sahili and Magi Beach. Turkey is also known for their Turkish Baths (hamam) and Bodrum has a lot of them, from authentic, old hamams to deluxe, modern ones. After you’ve been pampered, you can go shopping in one of the shopping malls or visit the beautiful sights Bodrum has to offer like the Castle of St. Peter, the old windmills on the hills or the amphitheater.
I have only heard of one of those places, but I would love to visit them all.
It’s funny. I have absolutely no interest in Dubai. Lake Como is a beautiful place and thanks for reminding me to take a look at it again. Right now we are recharging for a month in Santa Fe, with so many peaceful things around us.
Wow – these are all places that I would love to go and recharge! Since having kids I haven’t gotten to travel as much as I used to and I could use a little time away for relaxation!
These all sound like wonderful places to go on vacation. I would love to visit Dubai.
Of all those, I’ve only been to lake Como. Dubai is the only one that I’m not really interested in, even though I’ve heard it is quite interesting. I would love to see Bodrum and the Maldives. The irony is, I love to travel, hate to fly. I absolutely hate it, but I haven’t let it stop me.
I’m so in to visit them all. Where do I sign up?!
I’ve always wanted to stay in one of those huts over the water!
I have only heard of Lake Como, thank for sharing this amazing list!
I’m ready to pack my bags! Lake Como has been on my bucket list forever, and the others look amazing, too.
What’s sad is that I haven’t heard of all of these places, but there are so many places I’d love to visit and relax in. I’m so ready to visit Lake Como!!
Can you sign me up for Lake Como. Haha! Heading to London and Paris next month…Hoping that’s relaxing!
Recharge.com sounds amazing and what a great option to have when traveling! These all sound like great places to recharge.
I need to recharge in one of these places… preferably with coconut drinks in hand.
These look so relaxing. We just got back from Cape Cod and relaxed so very much. I want to go back.
okay.. I’m ready for a vacation! What great hidden treasures. Thanks for sharing. Now if only I could convince my hubby we need to take a trip….
Oh man, these are all going on my list. I really hope I can start traveling out of the country soon.
I would go to any of these places. We are heading to TURKS in a few days! i cannot wait!
These all sound amazing. I would love to travel to any of them! Now to start daydreaming about vacations…
I’d like to go to Lake Como. A. because it’d mean I was visiting Europe and B. because it sounds amazing. 🙂
I’ve always wanted to visit Dubai, that’s actually on my bucket list and I can’t wait for the day when I get to go.
I love travelling but also have a love/hate relationship with the high Phone Bill ..Recharge sounds like great service I will definitely be trying
Recharging sounds blissful. I can not wait to go on vacation!
Dubai would be interesting to visit. I’m more a Hawaii kinda girl 😉
I’ve only heard of one of these places, but the others sounds just as amazing to visit and relax. I hope to do more traveling next year so need to add to my list.
They all look amazing, and I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go to Lake Como. When do we leave? (Boy when I’m done reading your reviews I just want to get going!)
We are going to be in Turkey next summer (hopefully) and I plan to check out Bodrum. Surprised you didn’t mention parts of Bali. We stayed in THE most amazing small ‘Resort’ last year that was truly paradise. As for phone/tablet issues. I got unlocked devices so that I can get local sim cards when we travel overseas. Worked better for me than local phones and I don’t incur crazy data charges.
Dubai! That is definitely on my list and Bali as well. Life goals!