Vineyard festivities preserve historic sites, and a Costa Rica package offers crystal clear views

Boston Globe

08-05-2025

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Hotel Three Sixty has partnered with the high-performance scope brand Swarovski Optik to offer a package that brings nature into focus in Costa Rica.
Courtesy of Hotel Three Sixty
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THERE:
COSTA RICA PACKAGE OFFERS CRYSTAL-CLEAR VIEWS
What do Swarovski Optik and Costa Rica have in common? Both are committed to practicing active conservation and preserving biodiversity in the spirit of what Costa Ricans refer to as
pura vida
, the pure life. With that in mind, the adults-only Hotel Three Sixty has partnered with the high-performance scope brand to offer a package that (literally!) brings nature into focus. In early 2023, in an effort to practice active conservation, Swarovski Optik purchased 285 acres of rain forest on the Osa Peninsula, a region estimated to contain around 2.5 percent of the world's biodiversity. The rain forest and its hiking trails are not currently open to the public, however the hotel's Swarovski Optik View of Ojochal Package offers hotel guests access to six miles of moderate to intense level trails where they are likely to spot any number of species, including Red-capped Mannikins, Scarlet Macaws, Turquoise Cotingas, and four species of Trogon. The package includes a pair of CL Curio binoculars to keep (for optimal wildlife spotting); transportation to the rain forest; a guide to Ojochal's most spotted birds; and a four-night stay in a premium villa, one of 12 at the hotel that perches at an altitude of almost 1,000 feet in the remote southwest rain forest. Hotel amenities include outdoor pool, spa and fitness center, its own 58-acre trail-lined rain forest reserve, and open-air restaurant and bar offering freshly sourced local products along with sunset views of the coastline and Pacific. Package rate from $2,377; without the package, a la carte pricing for daily binocular rentals and transfer to the rain forest is available. 800-417-6712,
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EZQuest's WorldTravel Wall Charger is designed with four different plug types that can plug into the sockets of 200-plus countries.
Courtesy of EZQuest
EVERYWHERE:
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International travelers often face a packing conundrum. In addition to thinking about gadgets, phones, and tablets and their respective charging cables, one needs to know which plugs are used in what types of outlets in each specific country on an itinerary. Enter EZQuest's WorldTravel Wall Charger, a gadget that will help simplify planning and alleviate your packing anxiety. The 65W chargers are designed with four different plug types that can plug into the sockets of 200-plus countries, including Type C for use in most of Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Greece, and many other countries; Type G for UK, Ireland, HK, Malaysia, Singapore; Type I for China, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina; Type A for USA, Mexico, Canada, and Japan. (It does not work in India and South Africa.) With an ability to charge up to six devices simultaneously, this lightweight device might become your newest travel essential. $59.99.
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NECEE REGIS
Necee Regis can be reached at