BusinessDay 11 Feb 2018

Sunday 11 February 2018
C002D5556
BD SUNDAY 41
Travel
Love beckons at indigenous destinations
OBINNA EMELIKE
Once again, it
is another season
of love and
friendship. You
need to really
make this year’s Saint Valentine’s
Day count for your lover,
and loved ones. If you used to
travel for an elaborate experience
in foreign destinations
in the past years, it is time to
consider home groomed destinations,
especially now that
Nigeria’s recovering economy
needs your support for local
businesses.
Of course, with the weak
Naira, oversea destinations out
of it this valentine except if you
have big pocket.
However, there are some
places within the country
where couples and friends can
share and reciprocate love in
style without watching their
pocket or back.
If you are in Lagos, La Campagne
Tropicana Beach Resort
awaits your visit. For its fresh
water lake, accessible mangrove
forest, a savannah, extensive
sandy beach, the warm Atlantic
sea, stylish accommodation
options, activities like burn
fire, beach sports, party among
others, the beach resort located
at Ikogun, Lekki in Lagos, is a
must-visit romantic destination
to try out this valentine.
There is a unique blend of
natural environment with manmade
leisure in the resort. Its
65-acre tranquil paradise, surrounding
palm and coconut
trees that shield the sun, beautiful
stretch of the Atlantic coastal
line of Lagos that cools off the
intensity of the tropical heat
and the sprawling beach sand
that provides enough space for
all to funny around besides the
luxury and comfort of five star
facilities all will make your visit
this valentine worth the time,
money and stress.
If you love the exclusivity of
an island resort, then Inagbe
Grand Resort and Leisure is a
place to celebrate love this season.
Set on the tranquil banks of
the magnificent Lagos Lagoon
and the Atlantic Ocean, the resort
offers lovers rustic living in
a lush island haven, resonating
air of simple luxury and refined
elegance.
It parades 152 stylishly yet
tastefully furnished chalets.
The chalets offer options depending
on the taste of the
guests. You have option of
choosing from the 108 chalets
closer to the Lagoon or getting
more romantic by staying in
one of the 44 exclusive rooms
by the Atlantic Ocean shore.
Besides the Floating Lounge
Lovers at Inagbe Grand Resort, Lagos
that can seat over 800 guests,
the resort offers quality sporting
events as well. Guests can always
keep fit at the outdoor lawn
tennis court, basketball court,
there two swimming pools by
the Atlantic and the Lagoon for
leisure swimming and lessons.
Probably, the complete contrast
it offers leisure seekers,
the world class facilities, its
temperate climate, exciting and
different locations in one destination
make Obudu Mountain
Resort the most romantic destination
in Nigeria. The resort is
“Absolutely Amazing”.
Of course, you can propose
the love of your life; rekindle old
affection, or reignite family affection
memorably on this plateau,
about 1576 metres above
sea level on the Oshie Ridge of
the Sankwala Mountains.
You can join other guests
this valentine season with your
loved ones to experience the
additional warmth the resort
adds to those seeking love on
its towering height this season.
Also, nestled against the
Calabar creeks; the freshness
of the environment, luxuriating
greenery; palm trees and other
species of fauna swaying to the
music of the wind, no doubt,
create a lasting effect is Aqua
Vista Farms & Resort.
Set up in 1996 as a retreat
ground for the family and
friends, the outfit has grown
into a place where people can
recreate. Its tropical compound
contains 13 hectares of fish
ponds that are river fed with
rhythmic tidal flows and also
provide activities for visitors.
However, valentine will be
most memorable at the resort as
guests can spend hours wandering
around the maze of pools and
relax at the various rest points.
The surroundings are comfortable,
secluded and romanticperfect
for couples on vacation.
It is ideal for writers and those
who seek places to meditate.
Built on the foot of the hills
and spreading across five kilometres,
Idanre Hills Resort in
Ondo State is well apportioned
and fitted with a blend of sophisticated
and traditional African
motifs. It compels attention with
its impressive, imposing outlook,
serenity, extraordinary nature
and world-class facilities that
combine to make the resort first
of its kind in Nigeria.
From the resort, adventurous
guests can dare the tallest
of the hills, which rises about
300ft above sea level for a bird’s
eye view of the alluring and enchanting
picturesque conference
of undulating rocky ranges and
mountains of Idanre Hills. On
offer are various accommodation
options stylishly designed,
and colourfully furnished with
visitors in mind.
On a visit, guests have option
of choosing from the tree houses,
houses on the rock (Ile oriota),
all fully serviced apartments
and in three bedrooms and two
bedrooms en suites categories).
Apart from been creatively
crafted and exuding a blend of
African and continental motifs,
the accommodation options feature
tastefully fitted amenities
for the pleasure of the guests.
Clear Essence California Spa
& Wellness Resort on #13 Alexander
Street, Ikoyi presents an
opportunity for intimacy with
your loved one this love season.
From its world class spa and
massage sessions, quality accommodation,
best of wine and food
menu and to its well maintained
garden large, the outfit is worth
trying out this love season.
The large garden, dotted with
rare flora, sculptures and water
fountains, seems the best kept
secret in Ikoyi with a breath of
freshness that brings respite to
the madness of metropolitan Lagos.
I bet, the garden will be cuddling
nest for lovers this season.
But if you are a nature lover,
Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ekiti
State, a wonder of nature where
two springs, one of warm water
and the other of ice-cold water
flow simultaneously, is a good
deal this love season.
Besides a refreshing dip, there
are more for sightseeing. It is intriguing
to see a tree and a palm
growing from the same source
at the meeting point area of the
warm and cold springs.
At the warm spring resort,
a large swimming pool fed by
natural spring waters welcomes
visitors. The cool and serene ambience
preserved by thick forest
canopies gives one a perfect experience.
A dip of one’s leg leaves
him/her with nature’s romantic
pamper occasioned by the mild
fingerings of the warm spring.
But you will also feel tickles as
the cold spring flows through
your feet.
However, there is a limited
accommodation option comprising
four VIP chalets, 32 Federal
Chalets, eight VIP Quarters chalets,
four Western chalets, and
18 Macgee Camp chalets.
Others destinations that offer
romantic getaway this season
include Nike Lake Resort, Ibom
Golf Resort among others.
But wherever you choose to
celebrate your love on February
14, 2018 and the following weekend,
do not expect too much
from the destinations, concentrate
on the intimacy you need
to nurture, and love you desire
so much to build or rekindle.