Travel Explorer Magazine Jan 17

TRAVEL EXPLORER
Issue 02| Winter / Spring 2017

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EDITORS
Oliver Broad & Nathan Collins
Directors, RB Collection
Welcome to the 2nd Edition of our new Travel Explorer magazine. This larger issue includes
an interview with Sir Ranulph Fiennes plus reports from our visits to Iceland and Abu Dhabi.
We welcome back professional journalist Andrew Youngson who guides us through San
Francisco and around Santorini. Thanks to everyone who has taken part.
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We look forward to creating your next holiday memories.
CONTENTS
CREDITS
Andrew Youngson
From north-east Scotland, Andrew worked as a
features writer for the Press and Journal and is
now based in London working for Imperial College
London.
Kirsty Taylor
Last year, Kirsty celebrated her 15th anniversary
with the company. Who else could be in a better
position to oversee quality control of our projects.
Robbie Sinclair
Fashion Editor for WGSN (the world’s largest fashion
forecaster), Robbie helps keep our magazine
looking smart and on trend.
Front cover photo: Constance Lemuria, Seychelles.
Photo above: (from left) Kirsty, Sam, Oliver, Nathan,
Alan, Clare, Nicola & Nuria.
Special thanks:
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Kirker Holidays, Lusso,
Prestige Holidays, James Broad, If Only, Emirates,
Hurtigruten, Constance Hotels & Resorts, Classic
Collection Holidays, Mason Rose, Leela Palace,
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Melanie Brown at The
New Zealand Wine Cellar, Luxury Lodges of New
Zealand, Silversea & Oceania Cruises.
Published by:
RB Collection
2 Boley Park Shopping Centre
Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 9XU
01543 258631 - vip@rbcollection.com
Instagram: rb_collectionpix
RB Collection Ltd has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information
contained in this magazine is accurate on the stated date
of publication or last modification. It is possible that the information
may be out of date, incomplete or the opinion of the author. It is
advisable that you verify any information from this magazine before
relying on it. RB Collection Ltd accepts no responsibility for the consequences
of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any
of the information and material contained in this magazine or any
site you may access through this magazine. Materials contained on
this magazine are subject to copyright and other proprietary rights.
Copyright © 2017 RB Collection Ltd.
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TRENDS
We summarise the latest travel
trends from around the world
including Joanna Lumley’s Japan.
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REVIEWS
Nathan reports from Abu Dhabi
and Nicola from Iceland. Plus;
reviews from Sicily, Barcelona &
Viking Sea.
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TRAVEL STYLE
An update on this season’s travel
trends and some handy gadgets &
gizmos for good measure.
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CALM
Time to switch off. Read our tips
for far flung Island Getaways and
closer to home; holidays to the
Lakes & Mountains of Europe.
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ANCHORS AWAY
We bring you the latest
developments from the fast
growing cruise sector.
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FEATURES
Andrew Youngson takes us on two
eloquent journeys, first to San
Francisco and second to Greece,
on the island of Santorini.
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SIR RANULPH
What a scoop! We interview the
great adventurer himself ahead of
a special South America tour.
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WINE
Meet Melanie Brown from the New
Zealand Wine Cellar as she guides
us around her favourite spots in
her homeland.

TRAVEL TRENDS
Unlike other retailers which see shelves replenished daily with the latest commodities, trends in travel move slower.
Linked to popular culture, the political and economic climate and where hoteliers choose to invest next, we can
take a more considered look at travel trends without the worry they will be become tomorrow’s chip paper.
Photo: Canadian flag taken by Oliver during his visit to Vancouver.
Who could resist the sultry tones of Joanna Lumley as she
explored Japan from top to bottom in her ITV documentary?
We have already seen an increased interest in the host of the
2020 Olympics, and we only expect it to increase further. Also
delighting us on television was the hypnotic voice of Sir David
Attenborough in Planet Earth II. The phrase ‘Up close and
personal’ sprung to mind as we were transported from the
rainforest of Madagascar to the Pacific Islands and beyond.
Wildlife tours and safari holidays have been at the top of
many clients’ lists, especially honeymooners.
At this time of year we inevitably seek warmer climates. The
spotlight was firmly on Abu Dhabi following the dramatic end
to the F1 Grand Prix season and also hotel openings by Four
Seasons and Jumeirah are attracting further attention (p20).
Myanmar received much-needed investment with the reopening
of The Strand, Yangon, whilst Belmond re-open La
Residence D’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. In Vietnam,
Four Seasons welcomes The Nam Hai, a luxurious beachfront
property, whilst Phuket continues its campaign to attract
more luxury visitors with the opening of Keemala with very
unique dangling treehouses and thatched-roof cottages.
Rosewood’s 71 villa property is also set to open soon. Fans of
Rajasthan, India will now be able to stay at Fort Bishangarh,
transformed into a luxury resort by the Alila group.
Latin America is hot for 2017 with new flights into Chile, Peru,
Colombia & Costa Rica. Our beloved Belmond have taken
over the running of the Andean Explorer from Cusco to Puno
in Peru and we eagerly await her inaugural departure in May.
CANADA CELEBRATES
This year Canada celebrates the 150th anniversary
of Confederation. Although events are planned
across the entire country, the capital city of
Ottawa will feature heavily. In June a new
permanent Arctic Gallery opens at the Canadian
Museum of Nature and on Canada Day, 1st July,
the new Canadian History Hall will open at the
Canadian Museum of History; whilst in November
the Canada Science and Technology Museum
celebrates its 50th Anniversary and re-opens after
an $80.5m upgrade. Museums aside throughout
2017, Ignite 150 is a series of 17 epic stunts and
gatherings throughout the Capital including a
gourmet experience 50 metres in the air. In March,
the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championships
will take place, whilst Hydro Ottawa will open up
the Chaudiere Falls with public viewing platforms
and recognition of sacredness of the space to the
Aboriginal People. In summer; Downtown Ottawa
will be taken over by La Machine’s roving, larger
than life mechanical creatures.
Keep an eye on developments through these sites:
www.canada.ca/150
www.ottawatourism.ca/ottawa-in-2017
Jordan is firmly back on the map with visitor numbers
increasing and the revelation of new sites discovered in the
ancient Nabataean city of Petra. Plans are also afoot for new
hotels by W, Fairmont, Jumeirah and St Regis. Read our latest
clients’ testimonial at www.jordanholidays.co.uk.
Closer to home; the Jardines de Nivaria in Tenerife has
completed its €13.5m refurbishment programme, whilst
Birmingham Airport welcomes a new Stockholm flight.
Another city break destination on the map is Valencia which
received a third UK flight last year. With its dynamic selection
of art, history and culture it’s a hot tip for 2017.
Photos: Left: Joanna Lumley in Japan (ITV). Above: Belmond’s new Andean
Explorer onboard cabin, travelling to Lake Titicaca, Peru from May.
5 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

NICOLA DISCOVERS A HIDDEN GEM...
With mountain-edged coastlines, mystical islands sprouting from the sea and walled towns straight
out of storybooks. plus its very own Tara Canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon, Montenegro is a
naturally beautiful country indeed.
Located just off the Budva coast in Montenegro, Sveti Stefan is a picture-perfect island made up of
terracotta-tiled fishermen’s cottages dotted with evergreen trees set in a turquoise bay. Dating back to
the 15th century it started off as a fortified fishing village. The fishermen were replaced by royalty and
celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton when it was turned into a luxury hotel in the
1950’s. Abandoned in the 1980’s after the Balkan conflict, the hotel was more recently the recipient of
a stunning and very sympathetic makeover and has been re-opened as one of Europe’s most luxurious
retreats.
It is so exclusive, you can only go as far as the walkway onto the island before being redirected by hotel
security. Not for the fainthearted, the resort is made up of lots of little pathways and steps leading off
to what feels like very secluded cottages, most with stunning views across the bay. Breakfast is enjoyed
under the shaded trees with the most magnificent views out to sea or towards the highest peak church,
one of three on the Island.
Nicola stayed at the Aman Sveti Stefan as part of her tour of Montenegro and Croatia where she also visited
Dubrovnik. Read Nicola’s full report at rbcollection.com/blog.
6 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 7 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

Above photograph by: Mr. Brown, India, March 2016.
PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION
Throughout 2016 we received a wonderful collection of photographs taken by our clients all over the world.
We have collated them together for the public to vote for their favourite...
Right-hand page: From top left: Athens guards by Mr. Kempthorne ( July
2016), South African leopard by Mrs. Sutton (April 2016), The Lost City of
Petra, Jordan (October 2016), Mountains of Austria by Mrs. Merrill (May 2016).
VOTE & WIN
The entries are in and we invite you to vote for your
favourite Travel Photograph of the Year. The full
selection can be found at www.rbcollection.com/photo.
This year the winner will receive a £250 RB Holiday
Voucher. Two runners up will receive a £100 RB voucher
each. Plus, everyone who votes will have their name
placed into the hat to win one of three £50 RB Holiday
Vouchers. Please do take part and select your favourite
photograph from the wonderful selection. Voting is open
until 30th April 2017 and the winner will be announced
in May 2017.
8 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 9 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

TRAVEL STYLE
Fashion writer and designer Robbie Sinclair highlights the key travel essentials....
“Classic black and white sit alongside aqua blue and rich navy for a nod to nautical dressing. Busy geometric prints are the
perfect seasonal pattern for women’s woven tops. Technology sees innovative pocket printers that allow you to print your
holiday snaps instantly whilst on the go and wearing tech bracelets that help combat stress by measuring the pulse.”
1. Tsunami Kids paperback £8.99, Your local book store
2. Geometric print top, £330, Marni
3. Happiness enhancing wristband, www.myfeel.co
4. Running shorts, £195, Koza
5. Bayswater leather tote, £950, Mulberry
6. Frayed satin sandals, £440, Gianvito Rossi
7. Short sleeved shirt, £320, Alexander McQueen
8. HP Sprocket mini photo printer, £160, Amazon
9. Shorts, £90, NN07
10. GPS, battery charging suitcase, £354, Bluesmart One
11. Bottle waistpack, £22, Nike
12. Running shoes, £150, Athletic Propulsion Labs
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ANCHORS AWAY
Exploring the world on water continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors
of the travel industry. Both ocean & river cruise companies continue to innovate
with unique one-off sailings and launching new ships and facilities.
ONE-OFF SAILINGS...
Our cruise experts have hand-picked three special cruise departures for you
to take advantage of.
their next generation of ships, revealing
their names to be Celebrity Edge and
Celebrity Beyond. The first ship is
expected to be delivered in 2018 with
another to follow in 2020 and two more in
2021 and 2022.
departing on 29th July 2017. Departing
from Budapest the cruise will explore the
Royal Palaces, in the Czech Republic, take
in a Gothic 13th-century castle, and in
Passau admire the ornate architecture of
St Stephen’s Cathedral.
SEADREAM TASTER CRUISE
Intrigued to sample the Seadream luxury
yachting experience? This one-off 4 night
sailing from Monte Carlo to Rome in May
2017 is just the ticket. It’s also great for
those with little time on their hands who
deserve a special break.
From £2,199 per person.
REGENT OPERA SAILING
BELMOND PIVOINE & LILAS
This 12-night cruise departs Venice in July Meet the two newest members of
2017 and includes tickets to see Nabucco
at Arena di Verona before embarking
Belmond’s fleet of luxury barges. Soak
up the scenery of Alsace aboard Belmond
for Dubrovnik, Corfu, Sicily, Amalfi, Lilas, or uncover the delights of the
Rome, Florence, Monaco, Provence, Champagne region aboard Belmond
Palamos & Barcelona. Flights, ultra allinclusive
& excursions all included.
From £5,379 per person.
Pivoine. Available for private charter only,
ideal for friends & family.
From £4,500pp (based on group of 8).
CRUISE NEWS
The exciting news for 2017 is the launch of
Silversea’s new flagship Silver Muse this
spring. Their 9th ship will carry just 596
guests offering an intimate experience,
difficult to achieve by some of the larger
ships.
Following last year’s launch of Seven Seas
Explorer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has
completed its bow-to-stern upgrade of
Seven Seas Voyager, the second of their
existing ship refurbishments, as part of its
$125m fleet-wide upgrade. Both Voyager
and Navigator now have the same style as
Explorer, with new luxurious decor and
a special new collection of production
shows in the Constellation Theatre.
Celebrity Cruises began construction on
Luxury cruise line Seabourn have taken
delivery of their all-suite ship Encore.
Carrying just 600 passengers, the ship
will stay in the Australia-Pacific region
before ending its winter season this
May in Athens. During the summer, she
will operate in the Mediterranean until
September.
Oceania Cruises will offer over
20 departures from New York
in 2017 and 2018, claiming
it will be the only ‘upscale
cruise line’ to homeport
in the city. Destinations
include New England,
Canada, Bermuda,
Greenland and Iceland
onboard Insignia.
In the world of river
cruises; The American Queen
Steamboat Company launches
the 166 passenger American Duchess,
offering cruises into the heart of Nashville
and between Illinois, Ottawa and St Louis.
The former Mississippi casino boat is
being stripped down and rebuilt offering
all-suite accommodation with two storey
loft suites.
Emerald Waterways has launched the
UK’s first LGBT-dedicated river cruise
AmaWaterways has announced the
launch of a golfing programme. The
exclusive 10-night packages will launch
on the Danube in April 2017 and combine 7
nights on an AmaWaterways river cruise,
3 nights in Prague and the opportunity
to play golf on Championship courses
in five European countries; the Czech
Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia
and Hungary.
Crystal continues to invest
in their new river cruise
programme with the
building of Crystal Bach
and Crystal Mahler. Both
will carry 110 passengers
and are tipped to be the
most luxurious on the
European riverways.
Star Clippers are offering a
range of new rail & sail holidays,
which include train travel from London
to Cannes, a one night stay in the French
Riviera and a full week, full board sailing
on the tall ship Royal Clipper (pictured
above). Various departures take place
between May and October 2017. In
addition to stopping along the French
Riviera, ports of call include Corsica,
Sardinia, Elba and the Italian Coastline.
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MUSIC & OPERA
Travel & music go hand in hand. Visit the hometown of your favourite composer,
take in a concert and explore with an expert tour leader to get under the skin of
a destination.
EARLY BOOKING RECOMMENDED
Based on our experience of these popular events we highly
recommend securing your places early...
THE PUCCINI OPERA FESTIVAL
Giacomo Puccini was born into a musical
family in Lucca on 22 December 1858.
His first opera, Le Villi, was performed
in 1884. For the next forty years, until
his death in 1924, Puccini composed
operas which today are still the most
performed works on the stages of the
world’s opera houses.
From £1,798 per person.
ANDREA BOCELLI
One of the most popular events in the
summer calendar is Andrea’s annual
performance in his hometown of
Lajatico, Tuscany. Each year the event
takes on a different theme, in 2016 they
put on a special one-off show called
‘Le Cirque’. Early booking is strongly
advised, visit rbcollection.com/italy.
From £1,200 per person.
NEW YORK MET OPERA
Enjoy three star-studded performances
at the Metropolitan Opera plus a special
backstage tour. See at close quarters
just how an opera house of this size and
international standing functions. The
new season includes performances
by Anna Netrebko, Sonya Youncheva
and Kristine Opolais in productions of
classic operas by Puccini and Verdi.
From £2,649 per person.
2017 HIGHLIGHTS
We are able to offer a range of escorted
and independent holidays for those with
an interest in classical music and opera.
This is ideal if you enjoy the company
of like-minded travellers and enjoy the
insight provided by an expert lecturer.
This special programme of Cultural
Tours & Music Holidays offers the perfect
solution. Itineraries are carefully planned
to include the best tickets for selected
performances at some of Europe’s finest
venues, as well as fascinating sightseeing,
including visits to museums, art galleries
and important monuments. There is also
free time for independent sightseeing –
and the pace is designed to be relaxing yet
comprehensive.
Opera
In 2017 there are a wider range of escorted
opera holidays than ever before, including
destinations from Berlin to New York.
Highlights will include visits to the Semper
Opera in Dresden, a popular holiday to
New York’s Met Opera, performances of
Carmen and Tosca in Hamburg, and a
complete Ring Cycle in Leipzig – the city
of Wagner’s birth.
In addition we are offering visits to the
great opera cities of Vienna, Milan, Rome
and Venice for a series of long opera
weekends, which combine tickets for one
or more performances, with visits to the
important art galleries and museums in
the company of an expert guide. During
the summer months, whilst the grand
opera houses close their doors, there are a
host of spectacular summer opera festivals
to enjoy. The Verona Opera Festival, with
its impressive productions in the glorious
Roman Arena, is an essential experience
for anyone – opera connoisseur or not.
Music Festivals
The 2017 programme will not only
include a wide range of opera holidays,
but will also take in several important
European music festivals. Baden-Baden,
on the edge of Germany’s Black Forest has
become a centre of musical excellence
and you can visit this elegant spa town
on three separate occasions – for the
Berlin Philharmonic’s Easter Festival; the
Whitsun Festival in June, which includes
performances by Andras Schiff and Diana
Damrau; and the Valery Gergiev Festival
in July, with the orchestra, chorus and
soloists from the Mariinsky Theatre in
St Petersburg. Other 2017 highlights
include Berlin Festtage, directed and
mostly conducted by Daniel Barenboim;
the Beethoven Festival in Bonn; the
Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg, and
the Rosendal Chamber Festival with
Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.
Exclusive Festivals
We are also offering you the chance
to experience your choice of specially
arranged, exclusive Kirker chamber music
festivals, including carefully-curated
performances featuring internationallyacclaimed
musicians from around the
world in unique settings. The 2017 season
will include the Kirker Chopin Festival
in Mallorca, with the Aquinas Piano Trio,
pianist Martin Cousin and organist and
editor of BBC Music Magazine, Oliver
Condy; the Kirker Music Festival in
Leipzig with Tim Horton performing the
Goldberg Variations in Köthen Castle and
a performance by the famous Gewandhaus
Orchestra; and several festivals in the
UK, from Eastbourne and Suffolk, to
Northamptonshire and Cornwall.
For those who prefer to travel
independently, we can also arrange
tailor-made short breaks, including
opera, concert or ballet tickets to all the
great – and many of the less well-known
musical cities in Europe.
With such a wonderful selection of events
and travelling possibilities why not
consider a music themed break in 2017?
For more details contact RB Collection on
01543 258631 or email vip@rbcollection.com.

NEW ENGLAND
Find yourself falling for New England. Scenic, seasonal and a self-drive paradise,
this birthplace of America and world of natural beauty is a popular choice with
travellers drawn by its vivid variety.
FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA
BOSTON
Centrally located, Fairmont Copley Plaza
is steps away from Newbury Street and
the Freedom Trail. The hotel boasts 383
modern guestrooms and a Fairmont Gold
floor complete with exclusive amenities,
as well as a rooftop gym and one of the
hottest dining destinations in Boston,
OAK Long Bar + Kitchen.
CHATHAM BARS INN
CAPE COD
Originally a hunting lodge, this awardwinning
Inn is home to a selection of
fresh and contemporary rooms and suites
overlooking the ocean and beach. Guests
can experience regional cuisine and fresh
seafood, unwind in the spa and by the
adults-only pool or partake in various
activities both on land and water.
506 ON THE RIVER INN
WOODSTOCK
This family-owned and run Inn is
conveniently located two miles from the
picturesque village of Woodstock beside
the Ottauquechee River. Beautifully
furnished, warm and homely, guests are
treated to comfortable contemporary
rooms, seasonal dining, relaxing drinks
in the bar, an indoor pool and children’s
playroom for young ones.
LET’S EXPLORE
The USA, well-known for doing things
‘bigger and better,’ certainly never ceases
to live up to expectations. A place where
stars line pavements, neon lights colour
up the desert and where Walt Disney
created a Magic Kingdom from his own
imagination. Brimming with bustling
cities, beautiful landscapes and vivid
coastlines, discover parts of America
in your way, at your own pace and with
no two days the same. Venture off on a
bespoke itinerary and witness first-hand
a kaleidoscope of cultures, cuisines,
scenery and adventures, all reached by
open roads under open skies.
Under these open skies also lies ‘picture
perfect’ New England. The birthplace
of America, this intensely colourful
destination is a photographer’s dream,
with its blazing hues, russet-red barns
and white farmhouses, steepled churches
and village greens. It is also famed for its
quaint country hotels and historic inns,
where travellers are guaranteed a warm
welcome wherever they lay their head
and the options for families and couples
are endless. However it’s not only the
accommodation that is vast and varied, so
too are the activities as the great outdoors
boasts picturesque rivers and lakes,
towering forests, rugged beaches and
mountain ranges that draw in adventurers
throughout the year. In fact, this is one
of the greatest joys of New England, its
seasons are just that; Winter is Winter,
Summer is Summer, Spring is Spring and
Autumn, well that’s something altogether
spectacular. During the Fall you can join
fellow ‘leaf-peepers’ as they take in the
colourful transitions of the trees between
late September and October when the
landscapes are aflame with colour, harvest
festivals and pumpkin-carving contests.
Much like the USA in general, New England
offers diverse holiday experiences;
whether walking the city streets of Boston
or strolling through the rural rolling hills
and orchestral hub of The Berkshires, the
endless options can be perfectly combined
as part of a self-drive holiday. Heading
behind the wheel here really is a voyage of
discovery, with all six wonderfully unique
states having much to offer the curious
traveller. In Massachusetts you will find
historic Boston, teeming with attractions
both old and new, while the small town
character of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard
and Nantucket Island radiate charm with
their beaches, sailing and whale watching.
With the lighthouses and lobster in Maine,
yachts in Rhode Island and historical
seaport of Mystic in Connecticut, New
England’s 500 miles of coastline offers
no end of water sports and seaside
activities, not to mention ample scope
for feasting on the latest catches. Take
off on soft adventures, hiking, biking and
white-water rafting in New Hampshire
or immerse in the dense greenery and
mountainsides of Vermont. In truth,
wherever your New England experience
takes you, there’s so much local culture
and beautiful scenery to absorb that you
will wish your trip was never ending.
We have put together an example of a
self-drive tour taking in Boston, Cape
Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Island
and Newport. For your convenience,
ferry tickets to Martha’s Vineyard and
from Nantucket are included, as well as
inter-island flights, hand-picked quality
accommodation and of course our
professional service. Prices from £2,925
per person; we can also arrange your
international flights, ask for details.
Contact RB Collection to book your holiday
to New England.
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SIR RANULPH FIENNES
In November, Sir Ranulph Fiennes joins a special private jet tour of South America including the Galapagos
Islands. We are very honoured that he agreed to answer a few of our questions about the special tour and his
own thoughts on travel.
Where does your sense of adventure originate from?
From my Grandad Eustacey Fiennes. He joined the
British Territorial Army as a teenager, where he became
a close friend of his neighbour, young Winston Churchill.
When they were older they shared many adventures
including the Gallipoli fighting at the Boer War. Grandad
went to Canada to look for gold and trap for fur. Then
he joined the Mounties followed by the South African
Police. Later he was governor of the Seychelles islands.
He loved adventure.
What has been your greatest adventure to date?
For eight expeditions over twenty-six years, my late
wife and I searched the great deserts of Arabia for (and
eventually to find) the lost incense city of Ubar, often
known as the Atlantis of the Sands. In 1992 we eventually
found the city in the Omani desert and close to the
Yemeni border.
How can travel help broaden the mind?
It helps to broaden your mind if you get to meet other
people with many different ways of living, behaving and
with different codes of ethics and beliefs. Travel makes
this possible.
What interests you about this South America tour?
Whilst I have travelled around the world many times I
have not always had the luxury of a private jet, add to
this the unique itinerary and the chance to speak to like
minded people – why would I not agree to it?
What part of this unique itinerary would you say is the
most exciting and why?
I think this tour is filled with amazing highlights. It is
not easy travelling around the South American continent
hassle-free and this itinerary ticks off its major sights in
a comfortable three-week itinerary. It would be hard to
pick just one, but key ones that stand out for me must be
the cruise of the Galapagos and the opportunity to get to
the Falklands and Easter Island, which normally involves
a complicated network of flights.
What tips do you have for the aspiring adventurer?
I have been asked this many many times over the years
by younger and older folk. By far the best advice is to
join up with any company of travel / adventure experts.
Simply become a member of your local specialists. In the
UK, this would include the Royal Geographical Society,
the British Exploring Society, the Scientific Exploration
Society or Operation Raleigh. Once you’ve joined they
will open the door to amazing travel adventures, or
simple but expert travel advice.
Is there anywhere remaining on your bucket list?
I have been lucky enough to travel in many remote and
fascinating lands over the past five decades but, despite
a number of visits to the southern tips of Chile and
Argentina, I have never had the chance to explore the
amazing wonders of Patagonia. I sincerely hope to get
there one day before too long!
Join Sir Ranulph Fiennes & John Stapleton who will join
the Grand South American Journey by Private Jet for
selected days. 20 nights from £34,995 per person.
Photo: Liz Scarff, Field Craft Studios.
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TRIED & TESTED:
ABU DHABI
Written by Nathan Collins
With so many destinations around the world to choose
from, it’s always tough to decide where to spend that all
important, quality family holiday. With my son Harry,
nearly 4, there are even more factors to consider. As a
young family, we need somewhere safe and secure, with
good facilities, a warm climate to help us relax and plenty
to keep us all entertained, mainly, of course, Harry! And
if we could find somewhere with a little education and
culture thrown in for good measure then even better.
Since my first visit to the Middle East over 12 years ago,
I have always been fascinated with the mystical culture
that surrounds the region. I’d wanted to return for a
while and now seemed the right time with Harry soaking
in all the sights and sounds of daily life as he bounces
from one topic to the next. We decided on the capital
city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, and my visit
in November was filled with many different experiences
that singles, couples and families alike can enjoy.
The United Arab Emirates is a country that was formed
just over 45 years ago in December 1971 and is made
up of seven Emirates - Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras
al Khaimah, Sharjah and the lesser known Umm al-
Quwain. Bordered by Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia
to the west, the UAE sits perfectly in the warm waters of
the Persian Gulf and is reached by a mid-haul flight of
around 7 hours from the UK, perfectly manageable for a
young family like ours. Most of us in the UK will be aware
of the rise of Abu Dhabi’s big brother Dubai, and after 3
previous visits there myself, I was keen to see and feel
the differences one of the other Emirates could offer.
There are numerous flight options to reach Abu Dhabi,
but for this trip I decided on a direct service from
London with British Airways. You can also reach Abu
Dhabi direct from Manchester or indirect from regional
airports such as Birmingham.
Abu Dhabi makes for a great alternative winter sun
destination to the likes of the Canary Islands, Caribbean,
Cape Verde & The Gambia and offers a beautiful climate
between October and April with temperatures of around
25-30 degrees Celsius. Their summer months between
May and September do get extremely hot, but this is
when hotels provide enticing offers which make the
destination extremely good value for money.
One of the first things that struck me soon after my
arrival was how relaxed and slow paced Abu Dhabi is
I wanted a winter-sun, family
friendly destination and for
Harry to start learning about
other cultures...
compared to Dubai, which was very welcoming. Even
though Abu Dhabi is a cosmopolitan city I was most
impressed with the amount of lush green parks and
open outdoor space for visitors to enjoy. You can see why
it’s been named ‘The Garden City of the Gulf’.
I decided to stay in two different areas of the city, which
is quite spread out. The first took me to the Ritz Carlton,
located in the Al Maqta district on the banks of the grand
canal. This is a large property comprising of 447 rooms
and suites, built in a Venetian style with lovely facilities.
It also boasts a 1600 square metre swimming pool,
the largest in UAE. On our first evening, we enjoyed a
beautiful al fresco BBQ dinner in the hotel gardens and
had some delicious meat cooked to our liking by the
team of chefs. With the addition of some low-key music
and entertainment, this really made a wonderful start
to our trip.
Staying in this part of the city gave a very different feel to a
normal high rise city experience, as you can benefit from
a nice stretch of private beach in front of the property,
which still gave a lovely leisurely feel to the hotel. One
of the other benefits of this area was being able to take
an Abra ride across the Grand Canal to neighbouring
resorts and a little shopping souk, and we also enjoyed
a wander through the resorts adjoining Venetian Village
which contained a number of alternative bars and
restaurant options.
Another highlight of this area was being able to see
and admire the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,
which visitors can view directly from the Ritz Carlton
and be in striking distance to go and enjoy the wonderful
architecture. We made use of the hotel’s complimentary
shuttle service and took one of the complimentary hour-
long tours to learn all about the mosque. It was great to
introduce Harry to a new experience such as this and
families are certainly welcomed with open arms.
The mosque was built by the late president Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who wanted to build an
iconic monument that would become a symbol of the
UAE and unite the Islamic world. It took 11 years to build
with an approximate cost of £435 million and is now
considered one of the most important places of worship
in the region.
My tip for unrivalled views of the Grand Mosque at
sunset and later on into the evening would be to take
an Abra over to the neighbouring Shangri-La hotel
and have drinks in their pool bar - a truly wonderful
experience! Try the Caipirinha, it will definitely add to
the holiday spirit.
After some culture exploring the mosque, we opted for
an action packed family day out and took a taxi for the
25-minute journey to Yas Island, home to the city’s F1
Grand Prix circuit. This man made island on the edge
of the city was developed 10 years ago to add a multipurpose
leisure, shopping and entertainment area to
the city. Here we enjoyed the morning at Yas Waterworld
which contains a myriad of rides and pools for families
of all ages to enjoy. My little boy particularly enjoyed the
lazy river and the bandit bomber, which is a suspended
water rollercoaster that takes you through the park
and enables you to spray the visitors below! In the
afternoon we moved next door to Ferrari World which
won the Middle East’s leading tourist attraction at the
2015 world travel awards. Car enthusiasts would enjoy
the vast collection of Ferrari’s, along with a number of
fantastic rides and here the big kid came out in me when
I experienced the world’s fastest rollercoaster - Formula
Rosso, which reaches a speed of 149MPH in just a mere
5 seconds! Depending on how busy the parks are, you
could spend a day exploring both or one in each. There
are big plans ahead for Yas Island with a Warner Bros.
World Abu Dhabi due to open in 2018.
Following our stay at the Ritz Carlton we moved towards
the city’s famous Corniche Road and to what was going
to be the highlight of our visit - a wonderful 3 night stay
at the famous Emirates Palace Hotel. From the moment
we drove through the grand hotel gates, past the dancing
water fountains, I knew we going to be in for a treat!
Built at a staggering cost of £1.9billion in 2005, it is the
second most expensive hotel ever built in the world,
with higher construction costs than Dubai’s iconic and
opulent Burj Al Arab. The aim was to showcase Arabian
culture and the main dome is home to six Rulers’ Suites,
reserved for dignitaries and visiting Royalty.
I was immediately struck with the opulence and
grandeur and felt like I was being transported to our
own real Arabian palace. The service was exquisite; my
wife was greeted with flowers at check-in and the smells
of frankincense that adjusted as you moved through the
different areas of the hotel were sublime. We felt very
special and extremely privileged to be arriving here.
We were shown to our room and introduced to our
personal butler who took care of the unpacking of our
cases, so we could get straight out and explore the 85
hectares of grounds and gardens. The hotel is separated
by the west and east wings - the west wing is aimed at
families and the east for singles and couples. The west
wing pool had some fantastic water slides and a lazy
20 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 21 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

TRIED AND TESTED:
HOTELS & CRUISES
Honest reviews are difficult to find nowadays. With so many avenues for research
who can you really trust? RB Collection’s team travel extensively to sample the
products they recommend, here are a few examples since our last issue...
river wrapping around the pool and I saw my little boy’s
eyes light up with delight when we reached this area.
After an afternoon exploring and enjoying the facilities
we came across the beautiful beach bar set right on the
hotel’s 1.3kms of private beach, so after another tough
day of Middle East sunshine, we enjoyed some cocktails
watching the sunset in perfect surroundings. This
evening we enjoyed dinner at the hotel’s award winning
Mezzaluna Restaurant which is one of 11 dining options
within the hotel - as you can imagine it was a wonderful
culinary experience!
There were numerous things to experience within the
Palace, so the following morning I took my little boy to
the water sports centre to see what we could enjoy. Non
motorised water activities are all included in the rates, so
I decided to take Harry on his first kayaking experience.
In the afternoon we visited the hotel’s resident Bedouin
camp and learnt about the local cultures and of course
no visit to the Middle East is complete without a ride on
a camel!
Taxis are readily available and are very reasonably priced,
and getting around the city is very easy, so this evening
we headed back to Yas Island and to the Yas Marina area
which is home to the F1 Grand Prix circuit. We enjoyed
a walk around the marina and then headed to the Yas
Viceroy hotel (where the circuit runs underneath) for
dinner, overlooking the track - a great experience for
motorsport lovers.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but
before heading home later this evening we hired some
bikes and cycled down the famous Corniche beach road,
which was a great way to get a different perspective of the
city. Before heading back to the airport we had a little bit
of time to kill, so headed on the short 5-minute journey
to do some retail therapy at one of the city’s impressive
malls. We decided on visiting Marina Mall due to the
close proximity from the hotel and were very impressed
with the size and array of shopping experiences on offer.
Abu Dhabi was all I expected and more. A more subdued
experience than Dubai, yet a more cosmopolitan feel
than Oman, it suited us perfectly for a late autumn /
early winter break away from the miserable cold British
weather. We received a warm and friendly welcome,
received an enriching cultural experience, which was
great to introduce Harry to and were truly spoilt at some
of the most luxurious and comfortable hotels I have ever
had the privilege to sample.
FACT FILE
Flight time: around 7 hours.
Where can you fly from? Direct from London and
Manchester, via Dubai and Doha from Birmingham.
Accommodation: World-class range of luxury resorts and
city style hotels, various locations including beachfront.
When to go: All year round, however summers can get
very hot. It is a perfect winter-sun destination from
October through to April.
What not to miss: The warm sea waters, Ferrari World
and the obligatory camel ride!
Example package: 5 nights with flights from Birmingham,
private transfers and accommodation at Ritz Carlton
with breakfast from £849 per person. 5 nights staying at
the Emirates Palace with the added bonus of half board
from £1,345pp. Based on 2 people sharing, conditions
apply.
HOTEL MAJESTIC
Barcelona
Executive room
The Majestic Hotel is a property that
really stands out from the rest. You walk
passed and you say to yourself ‘I want to
stay there’. It is in a perfect location to
explore the cultural city of Barcelona,
in the heart of the city on the glamorous
Passeig de Gracia opposite Gaudi’s famous
Casa Batlló. Once you step into the hotel
you receive a very warm and friendly
welcome. The hotel offers a rooftop pool
with wonderful views over the city and I
was impressed as to how they really do
take care of the finer details to ensure
you have a memorable stay. I stayed in an
Executive Room which was very spacious
and decorated in a classic style.
Clare Buckley
GRAND HOTEL TIMEO
Sicily
Deluxe Sea View room
The Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo has the
best location in the whole of Sicily, if not
Italy! In the heart of Taormina, directly
in front of the Greek amphitheatre, it has
magnificent views of the coastline and
Mt Etna. Exuding Italian elegance, the
historic property feels like an oasis of calm
and luxury amidst the bustling resort,
the perfect place to relax and unwind in
the most glamorous of surroundings.
There’s a good sized swimming pool (as
my daughter discovered), a restaurant
serving delicious cuisine, with the most
spectacular views in Sicily and beautiful
gardens to enjoy. It is perfect for couples
or families looking for a luxurious break,
with a host of restaurants and sightseeing
options close at hand.
Kirsty Taylor
VIKING SEA
Rome to Athens
Penthouse Veranda cabin
Known for their river cruise holidays,
Viking entered the ocean cruise market in
2015. The interior was very modern with
all the facilities you would expect from a
5* ship plus a unique infinity pool. What
impressed me most was the size as Viking
have chosen smaller vessels with around
900 passengers which made for a more
personal and intimate experience. The
lowest-priced cabins were an average size,
and so an upgrade to a larger Penthouse
Veranda would be recommended. Drinks
with meals, WiFi and a few excursions are
included.
Alan Broad
22 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 23 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

TRIED & TESTED: ICELAND
Written by Nicola Brereton
Iceland; having sold it for many years my preconceived
idea was purely a Reykjavik city break, with a trip to the
Blue Lagoon and an opportunity to see the Northern
Lights. I imagined it to be quite barren with not much to
do or see – how wrong could I be.
As soon as our plane descended into Keflavik airport the
view that unfolded was simply stunning. Our first taste
of this amazing island had begun and it certainly was not
about to disappoint. Leaving the airport we were met
with the most beautiful houses dotted along the vast
coastal line, all individually built in striking colours that
complement the surrounding areas. Immediately we
were captivated by the stories of the first Viking settlers
and how they sent a prayer up to their God to guide them
to a new land, threw a log into the sea and followed it
along the coastline. The log was then carried around the
coast, finally coming ashore in a bay with what appeared
to be smoke. They called this new town Reykjavik –
Nordic for bay of smoke. The smoke they could see was,
in fact, the steam rising from the hot springs.
After an hour’s drive we arrived in the beautiful city of
Reykjavik. The main area is made up of Scandinavian
style white-washed and colour washed wooden buildings
full of character and lots of style. Although the drive in
gives the impression of a sprawling city, the main part
of Reykjavik itself feels quite peaceful. Most visitors and
locals alike can be found along the many cafés and bars of
Laugavegur, passing the time listening to buskers, while
drinking an Icelandic coffee and people watching. From
here the main shopping area can be found, although not
many European recognisable shops are here however
this is slowly but surely changing, giving Reykjavik a
whole new ‘cosmopolitan’ vibe.
Our home 3 nights was the beautiful landmark Hotel
Borg. Dignified and imposing, Hotel Borg overlooks
the beautiful square of Austurvöllur, in the heart of
Reykjavík, across from Althingi, the Icelandic parliament
and the cathedral and just a five-minute walk from the
harbour front. Our first night in Reykjavik was to be an
exciting one. After a quick freshen up we were to set
off on the hunt for the Northern Lights. Our transport
for the evening was an amazing minibus, modified with
huge wheels – we soon understood the benefit of the
wheels! Having left behind the bright lights of Reykjavik,
we headed out into the north of the city into the hills,
with nothing more than the moon and stars to guide
us. Before long we were driving along an open field
(completely oblivious to the lack of road surface due to
the size of the wheels) with nothing around us but open
This was my first time to
Iceland and I was in awe of
its natural beauty...
skies and a beautiful salmon river, lit only by the clearest
moon and stars I have ever seen we eventually came to
a stop. As our guide Simms told us about the legends of
this natural phenomenon as well as showing us all how
to adapt our cameras to get the best possible pictures,
we waited in earnest to see this night time extravaganza
unfold. We were told how the lights were tracked in
years gone by and how technology has now made this
much simpler – god bless smartphones! To keep us
warm in the cool air we were offered some internal
heating – Icelandic Vodka to you and me – or the simpler
alternative of lovely warming hot chocolate.
With no luck in our current location, we soon had word
the Northern Lights had been spotted further up the
mountains so off we raced – with hot chocolate still in
hand. Other guides were giving us updates over the
radio, the excitement was building and before long we
came to a stop on a deserted road. As we piled out once
more with cameras at the ready we found ourselves
once again in the most stunning surroundings. The
area was so beautiful I don’t think any of us cared too
much now about the lights, we were so engrossed in
the drama of chasing them and the amazing places we
found ourselves in, the sheer excitement of it all kept
us thoroughly entertained. After a number of hours
of chasing, tiredness finally took over and it was a very
sleepy group that eventually returned back to our hotel
having had an amazing evening.
Bright and early the following morning we set off on the
Golden Circle tour of Iceland and were again greeted
by the fantastic sight of our 3 superjeeps. These Land
Rover Discoveries are shipped over to Iceland and
modified locally with not just the massive wheels but
also all the latest technology and comfort you could hope
for, costing nearly as much as the original cars. Having
been gently eased into the capabilities of the jeeps we
headed up into the hills overlooking Reykjavik to witness
the amazing panoramic view of this beautiful city and its
coastal line. Our ‘easing in gently’ period was well and
truly over as we set off back down the mountain in fullon
off-roading mode. We screamed, we laughed, we had
the best fun – little did we know this was a test to see if
we could cope with what was to come!
It was time for a little detour from the itinerary and
we set off through the most stunning land I have ever
seen. We passed so many amazing spots from mountain
tops with stunning views, beautiful waterfalls and lakes
so clear the reflections appeared as mirrors, all the
while being entertained by our fantastic driver Jakob
( Jakob Bond!). His pride of the island and his extensive
knowledge of its history, as well as his wicked sense of
humour, kept us entertained throughout. Our first main
stop was the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, considered
by many to be the queen of Icelandic waterfalls as it
stumbles dramatically into a deep gorge.
Having enjoyed an Icelandic lamb soup (think more along
the lines of a traditional stew but very tasty) we set off
towards the Langjökull glacier but not before some more
adrenaline filled off-roading - my fear of water was soon
forgotten as we raced through rivers and back up steep
river banks! The drive up to the glacier is like something
out of a sci-fi movie as the land around it gets more and
more lunar-like. I knew the glacier would be amazing
but I was in for a shock; it was absolutely awesome, the
complete highlight of the day! More off-roading down
to the glacier – hence the test earlier that morning – and
before long, having let down the air of the huge tyres
we were driving on the glacier. The true magnitude
of this is hard to explain, around were deep crevasses
that Jakob explained were caused by small eruptions
of the volcano that lay beneath, as far as the eye could
see was an ocean of ice – truly amazing! We took our
first tentative steps onto the ice, again accompanied by
the now familiar sounds of the day – our squealings of
delight – in what can only be described as ‘Bambi on ice’.
Having gained our ice legs and wearing enough layers to
attack the Antarctic there was only one thing for it; an
ice cold beer!
We headed back into the jeeps, and whilst still taking in
this truly magical place we headed off once more towards
the Geysir Hot Springs in Selfoss. As we approached
them I couldn’t help but think they reminded me of the
Hobbit movies with small pillars of smoke rising from
the hills. As we got near the smell of sulphur began to
linger, but it wasn’t too off-putting. The Geysir’s in all
different sizes, were a sight to behold. There were lots
of little ‘baby’ Geysirs dotted around the landscape with
a few larger Geysirs mixed up that go off periodically,
along with the eerie blue algae. The daddy of the group,
however, has to be Strokkur who spouts with great
frequency. As we stood around waiting, camera in
hand the tension builds and builds, all eyes staring at
the Geysir waiting for it to erupt. Seconds tick by as we
stare avidly at the bubbling water and feel the heat from
the steam rising, then out of nowhere he explodes high
up into the air, hot spring water gushing up at force then
showering the surrounding area (having cooled down).
Stand too near and you may get a little wet – but it’s all
part of the fun.
A quick respite and we are back in our superjeeps and
heading off towards Thingvellir National Park where
the Icelandic parliament was founded over 1000 years
24 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 25 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

ago. Once again Jakob explained how the earth is ever
so slowly pulling apart along the North-America and
Eurasian tectonic plates, it may be worth adding at
this point he was due to sit a geography exam in 2 days!
Although it is not viable from land level, experienced
snorkellers can swim to the Silfra fissure which is part
of the Mid-Atlantic ridge and experience swimming
between the two continents. For us, however, it was
dry land, stunning scenery, fascinating history and
a steaming cup of hot chocolate as we took it all in;
although I’m not too sure I believe in the giant trolls that
roam the land.
As we continued to walk through this beautiful area Jakob
continued to enthrall us with tales of Viking settlers and
their thirst for blood – they really were scary warriors!
After a short walk we eventually came to stand at the
point where the Viking settlers stood centuries ago to
edict national laws. A rift valley with its high cliffs and
an amazing backdrop for the parliamentary assembly
known as Albing. This was held annually from around
930 AD to 1798.
The drive back to Reykjavik was a very subdued affair
with 3 exhausted but happy passengers - this time we
stayed on normal roads. The following day we were all
raring to go on another day full of adventures as we
headed to the south of the island. Our superjeep drivers
were there to meet us and after a quick stop at a few
tourist sights we once again headed off the main road
and found ourselves in what is known locally as the land
of a thousand waters. Once again we were having the
best off-roading through rivers and up embankments
– these guys know what they are doing and make sure
every second is as exhilarating as the last. After a
beautiful and scenic drive we arrived at the Hotel Ranga.
Set back from the main road and on the banks of a
beautiful Salmon river, it has the feel of an isolated hotel
with the most amazing views of the Northern Lights.
After a beautiful lunch we set off once again for the
stunning Skogafoss and waterfalls. After a short
(and not too difficult) climb, we found ourselves on a
footpath that leads behind this amazing waterfall – a
photo opportunity if ever there was one. Having taken
in the beauty of the surrounding panoramic view we
set off once more, passing more and more volcanoes
and stunning waterfalls until we arrived at a sight that
truly was to behold; a black sand beach! With the blue/
grey water of the Atlantic crashing on the shoreline and
the giant volcanoes behind us, the stark contrast of the
black sand was a truly incredible sight. Once again our
intrepid drivers decided a little more off-roading was
the order of the day and proceeded to charge around
the deserted ocean edge in an exhilarating and thrilling
experience that again had us all squealing in delight.
From the oceanfront we drove the short distance to
Seljalandsfoss falls, yet again a spectacular falls set in
beautiful surroundings, this truly is an amazing and
contrasting country that will have the most uninspired
traveller gasping at its sheer beauty. After a long and
thrilling day we set off back to Reykjavik, passing
through beautiful little villages and vast open spaces
with amazing mountain backdrops. On our return to
Reykjavik we took the opportunity to wander around the
city once more and take in the incredible Hallgrímskirkja
church, situated in the centre of the city, it is one of
the best-known landmarks and is visible throughout
Reykjavik. We made our way back whilst doing a little
window shopping along Laugavegur before heading out
to dinner at the fabulous Grillmarket, where I was even
tempted to try the local delicacy of minke whale (tastes
just like beef). The food and atmosphere was so amazing
we were offered the chance to go back out to look for
the Northern Lights once more, but we all agreed we had
such an amazing time we really did not feel like we were
missing out, so instead we enjoyed more of Iceland’s
amazing wine.
Our last morning in Iceland gave us one final opportunity
for last minute shopping before we set off for the Blue
Lagoon. Just 15 minutes drive from the airport it’s very
easy to do en-route and is fully equipped with luggage
storage facilities, plenty of showers and hair dryers in
abundance (we ladies have to look our best for the flight
home). Although it was cold outside we soon stepped
into the warm soothing waters that are rich in minerals
like silica and sulphur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon
is reputed to help with skin conditions. For us though
it was all about the relaxation and boy did we relax!
Obligatory face mask applied from the face mask bar we
set about enjoying our last few hours in this wonderful
country that just never ceases to amaze. Our full-on
itinerary from our arrival had not left much time to relax
but we were certainly making up for it now and after a
number of very relaxed and chilled hours we showered
and changed ready for our journey home. After a short
drive to the airport and a quick and easy check-in we
were airside before we knew it and as we all reflected
on the amazing experiences we had shared we were all
in agreement of one thing; Iceland has so much more to
offer than just the Northern Lights and we cannot wait
to return and explore more of this wonderful country.
FACT FILE
Flights: Just under 3 hours from Birmingham, London,
Manchester, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Belfast.
Accommodation: Range of smaller boutique and quirky
properties as well as some chains in the city.
When to go: Iceland is a year-round destination. The
best time to travel depends largely on what you want
to see or do. Generally speaking, visitors are drawn
by the prospect of seeing the Northern Lights should
travel September to March. March is also a good time
to experience winter activities but without the harsh
conditions. If long days appeal then visit between late
May and the end of July when you can experience the
almost perpetual light of the midnight sun. May and
September are great times to visit, especially for flydrives.
If you want to explore the uninhabited interior of
Iceland, you should plan your visit for July and August as
most of the highland 4WD tracks are only open during
this period.
What not to miss: Although famous for the Northern
Lights, the Golden Circle & South Island tours are not to
be missed along with the Blue Lagoon to finish your visit.
Example package: 3 nights with flights from Manchester,
private transfers, accommodation with breakfast,
Northern Lights hunt and entry to Blue Lagoon from
£899 per person. Based on 2 people sharing, conditions
apply. Add on Golden Circle Superjeep tour for an extra
£220pp or the South Island tour for £230pp.
EMIRATES BUSINESS CLASS
Starting your next adventure? Travelling in Business Class helps you arrive inspired. You’ll find thoughtful extras in Business Class that mix
stimulation and relaxation to help you cultivate your passions in your own way.
Send emails, write the next chapter of your book or upload your latest blog post on board. There’s in-seat power for your laptop and a side table for
space to work. Choose a drink from your personal mini-bar and sit back to award-winning entertainment on your personal screen. Recline your seat
into a fully flat bed topped with a comfy mattress and arrive feeling refreshed. Our flat-bed seats are on all of our A380 aircraft.
After your pre-departure beverage you can choose from our menu of regionally inspired gourmet dishes, and enjoy a premium dining experience
that takes you places. Our chefs use fresh, locally sourced ingredients to prepare every course. Meals are served on Royal Doulton bone china plates
with exclusive Robert Welch cutlery. Match your meal with something from our selection of six award winning wines plus fine champagne and vintage
port, selected annually by our sommeliers.
Choose from over 2,500 channels of the latest and greatest movies and must-see TV shows, on demand and in multiple languages. Relax to music
from around the world or play our range of fun games. Witness breaking news, catch up on the world of business or see your team in action with ice
TV Live on select aircraft. Create your personal playlist of favourites and laugh, shed a tear or cheer your way to your destination.
Fly Emirates Business Class from Birmingham, London, Manchester, Glasgow & Newcastle. Book with RB Collection on 01543 258631.
26 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
Contact Nicola to book your holiday to Iceland.

CALM: ISLAND GETAWAYS
Photograph: Constance Halaveli, Maldives
Hoteliers are really pulling out all of the stops to innovate their properties, in the hope we
will choose them over their competitors for that all-important luxury beach holiday. We
take a look at new hotels planned for 2017 in destinations further afield as well as some
interesting original ideas...
“Constance continue to
improve their quality resorts
with multi-million pound
improvements to both Belle
Mare Plage and Lémuria.”
Constance Hotels & Resorts have recently
invested heavily giving both Constance
Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius and
Constance Lémuria in the Seychelles a
multi-million-pound refit. Constance
Belle Mare Plage has had all the junior
suites redesigned and the décor in the
other rooms updated. Restaurants and
public areas have been redesigned and
are looking exceptional. One of the
golf courses has reopened after fresh
landscaping and the Blue Penny Cellar
is now one of the leading restaurants on
the East Coast of Mauritius and offers
Wine Flights to their guests. These special
wine tasting sessions are accompanied
by tapas, paired perfectly for the ultimate
culinary experience.
Constance Lémuria in the Seychelles
(main photo), reopened ahead of schedule
to great acclaim. Offering three beaches
and the only 18-hole Championship golf
course in the Seychelles, repeat guests
are looking forward to experiencing the
‘new’ Lémuria! Refurbished rooms and
public areas have been redesigned to give
the resort a fresh feel. Constance Lémuria
is firmly back as one of the best 5-Star
deluxe hotels in the Seychelles!
The exciting news for the Maldives is
the first international flight into the
southern airport in the Maldives. Gan
International airport has undergone a
$50 million development programme and
services are now running from Colombo
with Sri Lankan Airways. This opens up
a number of properties further south
which previously were a little more tricky
to access. These include one of the larger
resorts in the Maldives, the Shangri-La
Villingili Resort & Spa as well as the uber
luxurious Ayada. Built in a genuinely
Maldivian style, this hideaway has 112
spacious villas and suites, all with private
pools and butler service. The lush island is
ringed by pristine coral reefs. Offering an
exceptional range of activities, the resort
also has a choice of seven restaurants and
an extensive spa. Since opening, Ayada
has garnered numerous awards and has
received the Tripadvisor Certificate of
Excellence in 2015 and 2016.
Old favourites One&Only Reethi Rah has
refurbished its villas whilst Four Seasons
joins Jumeirah to offer its fourth hotel in
the Maldives. Tipped as the world’s first
exclusive-use Unesco hideaway; Voavah
is a seven-bedroom private island and
comes with its own 62-foot yacht!
In Asia, Phuket has seen heavy investment
by some of the world’s leading luxury
hotel brands, as well as improved
scheduled flight services, including flights
from regional airports outside of London
such as Birmingham and Manchester.
These airlines, with their award-winning
premium Business and First Class
services, matched with the unique luxury
resorts is putting Phuket back on the map
for high-end holidays.
Rosewood open their new resort in April
with all rooms offering sea views and
private pools. To stand out from the crowd
on the island, Rosewood are building a
resort lake and working towards a gold
certification for sustainability, the only
hotel in Phuket with such an award.
Quirky extra services offered by Rosewood
include “napping nannies” to babysit the
little ones so you can enjoy the resort’s
facilities and complimentary blow-dries
for ladies after a day by the pool!
In July we will see the opening of the
Ritz Carlton Samui on the island of Koh
Samui in Thailand. A contemporary style
property with Thai touches, it is set over
52 acres and will feature suites and pool
villas. A unique feature at the Ritz Carlton
Samui will be a ‘reef pool’ in the middle of
the resort which will be full of fish offering
snorkelling, a great safe environment
for children to experience this activity
for the first time. There will also be a
‘village square’ which will have 20 street
food carts in the evening for clients to try
different foods.
The lesser known Caribbean island of
Canouan in the Grenadines is just 2 miles
long and 1 mile wide. Pink Sands Club
opened at the end of last year with just 26
suites and 6 hotel villas, offering a special
level of luxury. There is also a collection
of 2-7 bedroom standalone villas on the
Canouan Estate that allow use of the Pink
Sands Club facilities. Canouan is perfectly
twinned with Barbados, why not keep the
‘pink’ theme going and stay at the iconic
Sandy Lane.
Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels in
Barbados is a new opening on the island.
Described as ‘eco-chic wellness’, the
property is perfect for those looking for
a good value 4* all-inclusive hotel. They
have a heavy emphasis on their spa with
a number of treatments included in the
holiday price.
Nathan visited Anguilla last year, one of
the more exclusive Caribbean islands.
Four Seasons have recently taken over
the management of the former Viceroy
property (main photo). With its dramatic
position and unique pool villa concept it
is one of the ‘must-stay’ properties in the
Caribbean for 2017.
28 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 29 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

CALM: LAKES & MOUNTAINS
Photograph: Lake Garda, Italy
There is nothing quite like a deep intake
of breath on the beach. The salty air has
a certain unique smell that transports us
back to childhood days of sandcastles and
sticky fingers covered in melting ice cream.
The bustling cries of laughter, crowds
enjoying quality family time; topping up
the tan, sipping a Mojito, exploring with
sand between the toes. Beach holidays
have firmly established themselves as the
go-to place for many; but consider for a
moment an alternative and one which is
already on many holidaymakers’ lists - a
Lakes & Mountains holiday.
Equally, there is nothing quite like a deep
intake of breath high up in the Alps or The
Dolomites for example. Your brain may
not offer the same childhood memories,
however, your lungs will instantly feel the
benefits of the pure, clean air. You can still
enjoy relaxation; hotels and resorts play a
heavy emphasis on their leisure facilities,
spas and pools, and you can even swim in
some of the lakes. You can still enjoy the
sunshine; most resorts welcome glorious
sunny days throughout the summer
months. If you have not yet considered a
Lakes & Mountains holiday, let us present
a few suggestions to whet the appetite.
And if you are already an expert, you may
well learn something new as we report on
hotel and resort developments along the
way.
Starting in Austria; the 5* Hotel Astoria &
Spa is undergoing a major refurbishment.
Their 800m2 natural swimming lake with
alpine beach is a new feature and in the
spring the hotel’s 97 rooms will have their
‘Alpine Chic’ refurbishment complete,
ready for the summer season.
For fans of Relais & Chateaux properties,
known for their excellent cuisine, the 5*
Tennerhof in Kitzbuhel is a charming,
small romantic property. For the active;
mountain biking, hiking and several golf
courses are on offer.
For fans of ‘The Sound of Music’, why not
stay in Fuschl am See near to where many
scenes from the iconic film were shot. The
4* superior Ebner’s Waldhof am See is
located just 22km from Salzburg. Why not
spend a few nights in the city first before
relaxing by the lake.
Switzerland is a firm favourite, with the
Glacier Express a particularly popular
railway journey up into the mountains.
Direct scheduled flights from regional
airports such as Birmingham into Zurich
allow for easy access. Spend a couple of
nights in the city before taking one of
the iconic railway journeys to Interlaken
where a stay at the 5* Victoria, a member
of the Leading Hotels of the World is a
must. During July & August, Interlaken
holds a number of free open-air concerts
with jazz bands and folklore ensembles
from the region.
Continue your Switzerland adventure with
your next stop at Lake Lucerne. The Hotel
Schweizerhof which is ideally situated by
the railway station was recognised as ‘Best
Historic Hotel in Europe’ last November.
Lucerne itself holds a number of festivals
and events throughout the year including
the Lucerne Regatta which is over 100
years old with over 1000 participants. The
Lucerne Festival at the end of summer
(10th August - 10th September) holds a
variety of concerts from Mozart to the
Modernists (www.lucernefestival.com).
Take advantage of the Lucerne card while
you are there for access to a range of
museums and galleries.
Our final stop in Switzerland is the
Montreux Riviera where you will find
Chateaux Chillon, Lavaux Vineyards,
Rochers de Naye, the Cogwheel Railway,
Chaplin’s World, Nestle World HQ and
the Alimentarium. On the shores of Lake
Geneva is the very grand Fairmont Le
Montreux Palace. Famous for a myriad of
reasons, including being a sanctuary away
from the spotlight for Freddie Mercury in
1978, from where several Queen albumns
were recorded.
One of the most popular groups of lakes is
in Italy where you can visit Lakes Garda,
Como and Maggiore. The first is the
most popular and perfect for a first-time
visitor, however, why not consider one of
the smaller lakes if it isn’t your first visit.
For example, Verona twins perfectly with
Lake Como. Enjoy Verona’s history and
culture, catch an opera performance at
the iconic Arena di Verona. Continue
onto Lake Como and stay at the 5* Grand
Hotel Tremezzo, recently the recipient
of the ‘Hotel of the Year’ accolade at the
Preferred Hotels Awards of Excellence.
The hotel dates back to 1910 and has a
sensational all-suite top floor stylishly
designed by the Italian designer Venelli
Kramer. The lavishly-appointed suites
each come with their own private terrace,
outdoor jacuzzi, butler service and
panoramic views of the lake.
If you prefer, Lake Garda twins well with
Milan where you could also take in an
opera and enjoy a little shopping before
relaxing by the Lake, Bellini in hand.
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BAYSIDE STORY
Words & photograph by Andrew Youngson
You couldn’t ask for a more relaxing city break than San Francisco. Long boulevards of
Victorian town houses, breath-taking views over the bay, and quiet spots from which to
watch the world drift by.
It was mid-November, but the sun was steady and
strong as it beat down on Dolores Park. A snapshot of
San Francisco weekend life lay in front of me, made
up of picnicking families, solo sunbathers, laughing
children and energetic sporty-types enjoying the late
Autumn heatwave.
I drank in the scene from my palm tree-lined vantage
point at the uppermost ridge of the park, which
is separated into two amphitheatre-like bowls of
greenery. Below, kids ran underneath a rainbow
parachute; men with top knots and technicolour
yoga pants walked acrobatically across elasticated
tightropes suspended between trees; grandmothers
posed for family photos with grandchildren; dogs
leapt about, catching balls slung by their owners who
lazed on blankets; and fresh arrivals laden with lunch
supplies and rolled up mats disembarked the tram
which hems the eastern edge of the park.
A pair of blue balloons drifted above the park, let
go by an absent-minded child playing below. My
eye tracked the increasingly swift trajectory of the
balloons, across the undulating streets of Haight-
Ashbury and Golden Gate Park to the left, and the
peak of Russian Hill and the spiky towers of the
Financial district to the right. A perfect moment to
capture, I thought to myself. San Francisco in all its
laidback glory.
This was the feeling I wanted – and indeed expected
– from my 10-day holiday in the western coast US
city famed for its chilled pace, liberal politics and
stunning vistas. During the next week-and-a-bit
spent on the San Francisco (SF) peninsula, and
its neighbouring East Bay, I would pack in a host
of wonderful experiences - from sightseeing, to
cultural jaunts, and oh-so-much-food, but I did so in
a relaxed manner and pace. Much like its residents, I
simply didn’t ever feel the need to rush.
The Mission – a bohemian hotspot
My first stop for the trip was The Mission district,
a neighbourhood in east central SF named after the
Spanish missionaries who settled there in the 18th
century. It’s now home to a variety of communities,
cuisines and lifestyles, from Latin American enclaves
where you can find some of the finest tacquerias in
the Bay area, to vintage clothing stores and packed
coffee houses each attracting bohemian crowds,
young professionals and families alike.
Grabbing a morning brew from Philz Coffee – a
popular chain in the SF area where the baristas pride
themselves on their in-depth knowledge of the pourover
method of creating the perfect cup – I wandered
back to my apartment on Shotwell Street.
Each townhouse I walked past was a unique
variation of the Victorian townhouse: here a pastel
blue stack; there a faux Tudor frontage. This neverending
multiplicity of townhouse styles is a feature
throughout San Francisco, and was a constant delight
on my many long walks around the city.
As a base of operations for exploring the city,
The Mission was a great spot to begin. The BART
underground train takes you from the airport
directly into the heart of the neighbourhood (16th and
24th streets stations), and from there onwards to the
waterfront Embarcadero in the north-east corner of
the peninsula.
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The Mission is also a great neighbourhood to walk
around. The internet abounds with ideas for walking
tours in the district. Mine took me on a three-hour
circuit, first taking in Clarion Alley, a backstreet
between Valencia and Mission streets which features
huge frescos of graffiti art. Political statements rallying
against cultural and governmental behemoths of the
day exist side by side in this alleyway exhibition with
colourful celebrations of liberal ideals and free love.
From there I walked to Market Street, the largest
and most iconic thoroughfare in SF, and rounded
up through handsome residential streets to Alamo
Square Park, where the postcard perfect Painted
Ladies stand all in a row. These pristinely manicured
Victorian houses are just as you see them in
guidebooks and travel brochures. From here I took
the path of Steiner and Sanchez Streets, past yuppie
juice bars, dog friendly parks, and bustling bars.
A word of warning for anyone travelling by foot
around San Francisco: everything you have ever
heard is true. The hills can be taxing on your legs,
knees and energy levels. Particularly in the west
side of SF, streets suddenly rise in front of you as if
the city is folded Inception-style. But it is extremely
gratifying to make the effort.
The city is largely laid out in a grid, meaning a
wander up hill and down dale offers numerous
stunning views along boulevards and out across the
waterfronts. And then of course there are the blissful
downhill stretches, offering enough respite to work
up the strength for the next incline.
The bridge and the rock
There are no ifs or buts about it, any visit to SF must
involve trips to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz
Island. On my obligatory (though hugely enjoyable)
pilgrimages to the world-famous sites, the weather
couldn’t have been more different (again, something
SF is famous for).
As stereotypical a SF scene as the sunny Dolores Park
was, so was my thoroughly foggy trip to the former
federal prison. On the morning of my boat ride to
Alcatraz, the whole bay was steeped in a thick white
mist which had arrived in the early morning and
blanketed the city. Only the peaks of the hills and the
very tips of the Golden Gate Bridge seemed to escape
its fluffy grip.
I had boarded the three-storey boat at pier 33
alongside hundreds of fellow ‘inmates’ only moments
beforehand. Alcatraz, which from August 1934 to
until March 1963 had housed some of America’s most
dangerous and infamous criminals, is only 1 ¼ miles
off the coast of the city, but a world away in terms of
its austere appearance.
Fifteen minutes after setting sail into the fog, the
lighthouse on the island suddenly emerged in front
of me. Upon arriving at the jetty of the 47-acre island,
visitors have until the last boat leaves (4.30pm in
the autumn and winter months, unless you’re lucky
enough to get a ticket on one of the coveted night
tours) to explore the many attractions. Chief among
them of course is the main prison, though there is
plenty more besides, from a nature walk along the
Agave trail on the island’s south-east side; to the New
Industries building on Alcatraz’s west side, which
today houses exhibits (most recently one by Chinese
artist and activist, Ai Wei Wei).
Like most guests, I headed up the hill straight to the
main prison (or ‘cell house’) to take the 45-minute
self-guided audio tour. Featuring narration and
testimonials from guards and criminals, who had
first-hand knowledge of the notorious federal prison
in the final years of its operation, the tour offers
fascinating and at times chilling insights into life on
the island.
You might be surrounded by fellow tourists as you
meander the cells, long echoing corridors, wide
dining hall and hard concrete parade grounds, but
the excellent audio tour takes you away from the
crowds. As you make your way around, the ghosts of
inmates past rattle their bars and yell out as you pass
by. A creepy soundscape indeed, one which perfectly
matched the misty landscape outside the walls of the
prison.
If Alcatraz had the perfect meteorological setting, so
did my walk along the Golden Gate Bridge a few days
later. I couldn’t have asked for a better day to tackle
the 5.4 kilometre round trip across the world-famous
bridge. Crystal clear air and a blue sky above meant
I could take in the stunning views at either end –
Presidio Park at the SF peninsula side; and the Marin
Headlands opposite.
The views are reason enough to embark on a trip
along the Golden Gate Bridge, but the bridge is a
marvel in itself. The visitors centre, plus plaques and
boards at either end, crow about the size, scale and
historical significance of the steel structure – and
rightly so. It’s a marvel to behold.
Getting out and dining in
San Francisco has enough to hold your interest for
days on end, but part of the reason so many flock to
it throughout the year, is because of its proximity to
other Californian hotspots. The Hollywood Hills are
only a five-hour drive away; Las Vegas a 90-minute
flight; the majesty of Yosemite National Park a mere
three hours’ drive. Closer still are Silicon Valley and
San Jose (40 and 60 minutes drive respectively) to the
south, and Oakland and Berkeley to the east (15 and
20 minutes by BART). Napa Valley, with its worldfamous
wineries is just 2 hours away and can make
a great area to explore on a self-drive tour. The area
warrants much more than just a day trip.
For a short sidebar during my SF holiday, I chose
to experience the delights of the latter two. An
increasingly popular area for young professionals
and families, the East Bay has plenty to offer if you’re
looking to experience the residential side of the Bay
area.
A word of warning though: like so many parts of the
USA, venturing beyond the bounds of the city is easier
if you have your own means of transport. Not that I
did; for the most part I could supplement buses and
the BART with the occasional taxi ride to reach the
places I wanted to go to. But had I hired a car, visiting
farther flung attractions or even simply buying
groceries would have been far easier.
And on the matter of eating…food played a major
part of my SF holiday and some of the finest meals
I had were in the East Bay. Case in point, Pizzaiolo
at 5008 Telegraph Avenue was quite simply the best
meal of the whole holiday. A buzzing hideaway for
diners and cocktail drinkers, the cosy restaurant
offers beautifully wood-fired pizzas, as well as an
array of inventive twists on Italian specialties. My
partner Alexander and I shared a starter of sweet
potatoes, charred to perfection in the oven, glazed
in brown butter, honey and topped with almonds.
From there I had the spaghetti alla puttanesca with
toasted breadcrumbs, while Alex had the margherita
pizza. Both were packed with flavour and beautifully
presented. Oh, and did I mention cocktails? The
Derby (bourbon, vermouth and Cointreau) and Last
Word (gin, lime, green chartreuse and maraschino
liqueur) were the ideal zingy accompaniments for the
meal.
Similarly, I had a very fine brunch a few days later
in Berkeley. Most famous as a centre of world class
education (due to being the site of University of
California, Berkeley) the waterside city has all the
hallmarks of a beautifully cloistered college town.
Think more cafes than you can shake a mortarboard
at; dozens of bookshops, new and vintage; and
enough eateries to keep even the most ardent vegan
from passing out.
At one such spot, Saturn Cafe, we tucked into
wonderful Space Cowboy burgers, packed with
signature vegan patties, “bacon” and onion strings.
To work it off, we took a wander round the grounds of
Berkeley university, sharing its tree-lined walkways
and grand columned entryways with scores of
students drifting from class to class.
So inspired was I by Berkeley’s leafy surrounds, I
immediately planned an excursion to see another
East Bay landmark known for its luscious greenery
– Redwood Regional Park. Only a 20-minute drive
(or taxi ride in my case) from downtown Oakland,
the sprawling forest occupies a great swathe of the
eastern ridge a few miles from the city. It abounds
with grove upon grove of 18th century, 150-foot coast
redwoods – the third-generation descendants of the
Sequoia sempervirens which once stood there until
they were felled by loggers.
Logging stopped a long time ago, and what stands
in its place is a sprawling verdant monument,
comprising numerous hiking trails, picnic spots, and
vantage points offering vistas right across the East
Bay and out into the waters beyond.
Downtown
From one towering forest to a concrete urban jungle,
my final days of the holiday were spent back in SF,
in the very heart of downtown: Union Square. It was
more than a month before Christmas, but Union
Square and its surrounding shop fronts were aglow
with fairy lights, tinsel and baubles. Most auspicious
of all was the 200-foot fir tree being erected at the
centre of the square.
A shopper’s paradise, downtown SF has everything
you would expect from a cosmopolitan centre, from
fashion outlets like Vuitton and Saint Laurent, to huge
department stores such Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.
Retail therapy wasn’t high on my agenda, though the
ecosystem of restaurants, bars and cafes was.
There’s just something about the buzz of a city centre,
where you’re surrounded by gargantuan buildings
all around you. It’s part of why I love American city
breaks – the sheer scale. And then, of course, there’s
something else about looking out on the glittering
skyline of towering giants from your 27th floor kingsize
hotel room!
The Grand Hyatt Union Square offers an extremely
comfortable stay for visitors to the city, and the
location is ideal. But it was the window I was most
in love with. The hotel offers rooms with either city
or bay views. Knowing I would have plenty of time to
look out at the bay on my Alcatraz and Golden Gate
Bridge jaunts, I had selected the city view. And boy
was I glad I did.
From my bird’s nest high above the traffic, I
happily spent what seemed like hours looking out
at the cityscape, imagining all the lives and stories
happening within apartment blocks, offices, and
streets.
Something dawned on me then: for all of San
Francisco’s modern touches and proximity to the
likes of Silicon Valley, it remains steeped in nostalgia.
I thought back to a plaque I had seen on the Pier 3
walkway a day earlier:
“San Francisco is 49 square miles surrounded by
reality” – Paul Kantner.
Kantner, the psychedelic rock star, summed it up
perfectly. For me and so many others who come to
SF, this will always be the hippie city in the mist,
where all are welcome to come and wander in a state
of reverie, and forget the world outside for a bit.
FACT FILE
Did you know?
Before it became known as San Francisco in 1847,
the original Spanish settlement in the north-eastern
end of the peninsula where the city began was
called Yerba Buena – a name taken from the North
American rambling aromatic herb. Today, the Yerba
Buena Centre for the Arts on the corner of Mission
and 3rd Streets features visual art and performance
that celebrate the Bay Area’s diverse communities.
About the Weather
Don’t listen to what some people say about SF not
having any seasons. Sure, the average daytime
temperature clings somewhere around the 20
degrees Celsius mark for much of the year. But the
city can experience several seasons in one day as far
as rain, wind and fog are concerned. Make sure to
take a sturdy umbrella!
How to book
Contact RB Collection to book your holiday to San
Francisco and California. Members of the team have
visited and can offer first-hand knowledge and advice
to you.
Andrew flew into San Francisco. There are two new
services from the UK to San Jose & Oakland.
34 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 35 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

BATHING IN THE
SANTORINI SUNSET
Words by Andrew Youngson
Andrew Youngson travels to Santorini and samples the home-grown delicacies and
geologically-formed marvels of the southern Cycladic island.
It’s said the true Santorini experience is all about
relaxation; everything else is gravy. From my
experiences during a short but blissful break to the
small Greek island, it certainly seems to be true.
Though there’s a lot to be said about the gravy.
I revelled in the daily activities – driving from coast
to coast, hopping from beach to beach, ambling from
boutique to boutique – and my four day autumnal trip
also taught me what it means to holiday Santorinistyle:
Drift into luxurious naps whenever the urge
creeps upon you; savour the local cuisine over long
meals; drink in the sights (and the wine) with equal
relish; and bathe in the most beautiful sunsets you
will ever see.
My abode for the holiday was a spacious and pristinely
white three-bedroomed villa in the heart of the
island’s capital, Fira. A 10-minute taxi ride from the
airport, the town is just north of central Santorini,
its closely-knit network of hotels, apartments, and
restaurants hugging tightly to the top of the island’s
western cliffside. Much like seats in an amphitheatre,
every street, veranda and sun-terrace in Fira enjoys
uninterrupted views of the caldera – the cauldronlike
bay which constitutes the volcanically-formed
island.
Take, for example, the view from my villa. Looking
out from my hot tub, a crisp glass of locally-made
Assyrtiko white wine in my hand, practically the
whole Santorini archipelago unfolded around me. To
my far right I could see as far north as Oia, the most
beautiful of the island’s dwellings, resplendent with
marble-clad streets, designer boutiques and worldfamous
blue-domed white churches; and to my left
lay the south, where Santorini’s best beaches can
be found as well as its lighthouse-tipped peninsula,
Cape Akrotiri.
Straight ahead of me (i.e. far below my cliffside
vantage point) squatted Nea Kameni, the uninhabited
volcanic heart of Santorini. By comparison to the
steeply undulating ridges of the main island around
it, Nea Kameni is a low-lying brown mound featuring
scant vegetation. But appearances can be deceiving –
it is one of the most geologically fascinating parts of
the archipelago. Due to the volcanic activity bubbling
far below its surface, Nea Kameni grows in height by
three centimetres per year, and sports a natural hot
springs on the neighbouring islet of Palia Kameni,
which can be swum in safety (but be warned, white
swimming gear will be dyed orange!)
The dramatic geological history of Santorini – or Thera
to use its Greek name – has long been a selling point
for tourists and volcanologists. The archipelago’s
current morphology is the result of a series of
eruptions throughout the millennia, perhaps most
famously in the gargantuan explosion around 1600
BC that effectively devastated the Minoan civilisation.
Such is the fascination in the island’s geological
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history, it has even been positioned as a front-runner
for the real life-inspiration behind Plato’s Atlantis –
a lovely hypothesis that has been grabbed with both
hands by the islanders who have slapped the Atlantis
brand on everything from wine, to shops, hotels and
a particularly fine bookshop in Oia.
Today, hot springs aside, Santorini’s volcanism has
been quiet for nearly 60 years; this modern-day
Atlantis is a haven of tranquillity. The glistening
Aegean waters which envelope Santorini are calm
and clear, providing safe passage for a variety of daily
seaborne activity, from dinky fishing boats to vast
cruise liners. From my clifftop lookout point, I spent
happy hours surveying the coming and going water
life and watching fellow holiday-makers coming
ashore at the old port below, some zigzagging their
way up the hillside to Fira while sat astride mules,
others (closer to my lazy heart) taking the cable car.
On the occasions I did actually step out of the hot tub,
I ventured out into the island to take a closer look.
Taxis can be easily booked throughout Santorini
and relatively inexpensively so, and buses leave
Fira’s centre in all directions every hour. However,
the freedom a hire car offers can’t be matched.
With a 50km speed limit, which is (largely) adhered
to by tourist and local alike, I found driving around
Santorini a surprisingly serene affair. The only time
I was slightly awakened from my reverie was on the
steep winding road up to the island’s highest point,
10 minutes from the town of Pyrgos. Not a journey
for the faint-hearted, but definitely worth it for the
360-degree views from Mount Profitis IIias, the 18th
century monastery which proudly awaits at the 450
metre-high pinnacle of the island.
The car was ideal for exploring such nooks and
crannies on the island, including the lesser-known
ports on its eastern flank. While they don’t enjoy the
western-coast’s aspects upon the stunning sunsets,
coves such as Pori Beach in the north-east, with
its oxidised-iron cliff and volcanic pebbles, offer
secluded moments away from the crowds.
As for the south of Santorini, a particular highlight
for me came in the form of ancient Akrotiri, an active
archaeological excavation site which offers visitors
the opportunity to see the remains of a genuine
Minoan settlement. Covered beneath a permanent
climate controlled canopy, the archaeological site
comprises a sprawling network of ruined buildings,
squares and streets, some of which you are even able
to step off the elevated walkways to stroll among.
Like a Greek Pompeii, the architecture and artefacts
of ancient Akrotiri are remarkably preserved by
volcanic ash, with decades of painstaking excavation
work having uncovered everything from intricately
designed pottery to sophisticated frescoes. While the
majority of the 3000-year-old objects are stored and
displayed in museums elsewhere in the world, the
opportunity to see the foundations, walls and lintels
of the Bronze Age village up close – paired with the
archaeological site’s excellent information displays –
make this a fascinating place to visit and experience,
whether a fan of ancient history or not.
But those seeking a more 21st century Santorini
experience need not be afraid. From air conditioned,
wifi-enabled accommodation, to crystal clear mobile
reception throughout, it’s the most modern Greek
island I have ever visited. It’s also perhaps the most
certain of who its visitors are and what they want.
It’s a million miles from the rowdy clubs of Corfu
and alcohol-fuelled beach parties of Ios, but that’s
not to say Santorini’s a sleepy suburban cul-de-sac.
Instead, like-minded sunset gazers of all ages seem
to coexist harmoniously on the island, each visitor
united in what they are here for – to make the short
flight (a mere three-and-a-half hours from the UK)
to a predictably sun-soaked retreat where they can
unwind, let the hours slip by and sample the local
delicacies.
Speaking of food, where do I start? Despite its tiny
annual rainfall of 15 inches (we Brits should be so
lucky), Santorini’s vineyards, valleys and groves
abound with delicious fare, thanks largely to the
heavy morning dew. Most renowned, of course,
are the island’s tomatoes – as succulent as they are
famed to be – but there’s plenty more besides to
sample in the myriad of eateries which can be found
on practically every corner.
I discovered very quickly upon arriving on Santorini
that booking ahead at restaurants, particularly
the most highly recommended ones, is a must on
the island, though there’s a lot to be said for taking
chances, as I found on my first night. Stumbling upon
an unassuming street side tavern on Fira’s main drag
proved to be the ideal venue for a newbie. A fairly
scattershot selection of meze starters took me on a
culinary journey around the island’s tasty produce,
from creamy fava puree to zingy sesame-coated
feta, fried sundried tomatoes and green olives, sweet
white eggplant, crunchy zucchini croquettes, cooling
tzatziki and home-baked bread.
In all honesty, I didn’t even make it past the starters
on that first evening. Rest assured, I would go on
to sample some wonderful main dishes during my
stay. Particular highlights were a beautiful chicken
souvlaki at Salt & Pepper in Fira, and a zesty panfried
salmon, which I savoured over a candle-lit meal
at one of Santorini’s finest restaurants, Ambrosia, a
cliffside restaurant in Oia.
A quick moment to discuss money. While Santorini is
known to be one of the more expensive Greek islands,
it stands to reason that the more exclusive restaurants,
apartments and hotels with their premium positions
overlooking the bay, will come at a price (though it’s
still a far cry from the expense of many a European
city break). But with such a rich array of places to eat,
stay and visit you really shouldn’t be paying top dollar
the whole way.
My advice for experiencing the full Santorini offering
is to mix it up: Whether it’s a 75 Euro decadent threecourse
meal in a luxury Oia restaurant or 15 Euros for
a sumptuous lunch at a roadside taverna; a 30 Euro
bottle of wine or a three Euro bottle of local beer;
bathing in the warm volcanic waters of the caldera
basin, or taking a dip in the waves of the island’s
outer rim – you won’t be left disappointed.
It’s fair to say I would return to Santorini in a
heartbeat, but four days and four nights was a
surprisingly satisfying duration. The size of the
island (90 square kilometres to be precise) is ideal for
anyone wanting to get a feel for a place in a relatively
short time, while leaving some gems to be explored on
a return trip. Many of my fellow visitors I spoke with
were making return trips. This southern jewel of the
Cyclades seems to take hold of people’s imaginations
and hearts very quickly, and I could see why.
Whether visiting for a long weekend, or a full-blown
fortnight, my parting advice is this: if you do anything
during your trip, make sure to experience Santorini
from the waterside. The interplay between the
volcanic island and its serene waters are what make
the island so special – and nowhere was this brought
home to me more than on my last day during the
sunset catamaran cruise.
Like something out of a movie, I spent a pictureperfect
five hours aboard the 20-man vessel, skipping
from one geologically distinct landmark to the next.
Setting sail from the Vlichada beach marine midafternoon,
we visited the oxidised iron Red Beach,
snorkelled with the fish at the limestone White Beach,
and floated right to the edge of the volcanic ash Black
Beach with its craggy caves that cut straight into the
cliffside.
From there it was off to the heart of the volcano
itself for the aforementioned hot springs, before a
sumptuous meal on board and then off into the open
waters for the stunning crescendo of the cruise: the
sunset. As we skimmed through the dusky waters, the
brilliant orange of the sun seemed to mesmerise us,
our voices suddenly hushed as we tracked its rapid
descent to the water’s edge.
Soon we were steeped in the half-light of the island’s
‘blue hour’, our eyes slowly shifting from the horizon
back to the island behind us. The lights of Santorini
welcomed us home, twinkling in its patches of hilltop
towns, and portside harbours. There’s a reason that
visitors to Santorini remember the sunsets above all,
I thought to myself quietly.
FACT FILE
Time to go:
Santorini enjoys an enviable seven months of
predictably warm weather, making it a popular
destination from spring to late autumn. However,
if heat is your main priority and you don’t mind the
crowds, June to September is best, with an average
daytime temperature of around 26-30 degrees
Celsius. For sightseers, outside of high season is
better – so April, May and October. And of course,
accommodation is cheaper during low season
(December to March) though the availability of direct
flights from the UK drops significantly and many
businesses close in the dead of winter.
A bit of history:
After the collapse of the Bronze Age, it’s thought the
Phoenicians founded a site on Santorini, naming
the island Callista. It was later named Thera by the
Dorians, before being ruled by the Roman Empire.
After its fall, it changed hands to the Byzantine
Empire, then onto Ottoman rule. In 1830, Santorini
was united with Greece under the Treaty of London.
Contact Nathan at RB Collection to book your
holiday to Santorini on 01543 258631 or email:
vip@rbcollection.com.
38 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

A CULINARY EXPERIENCE:
THE LEELA PALACE, DELHI
Food is a big part of any visit to India as Oliver found out when he visited the
Leela Palace last year.
My experience at the Leela Palace in Delhi was a true delight. The hotel is possibly the
most palatial in all of Delhi with a good location to explore the city. Upon entering the
large main entrance, I knew I was in for a special treat. The highlight of our tour was
in no doubt; the 4,800 sq ft Presidential Suite with no less than 8 bedrooms, 2 sitting
rooms and dining room for 12. The panoramic windows offered jaw-dropping views
of the city. This was a suite made for royalty and dignitaries and in fact, USA Vice
President John Kerry had stayed there the week before. Everything about this room
was phenomenal.
I managed to stretch our tour out a little longer to take it all in and imagine what it must
be like to stay in such a suite. I wondered if they issued you with a map when you check
in as it would be easy to get lost amongst its many rooms, including a private gym! The
hotel’s standard rooms followed the same luxurious feel and were a good size, and so
if you are not royalty or a visiting politician then at least you have the chance to sample
the hotel’s unique experience in Delhi. The rooftop infinity pool must be one of the
most photographed pools in all of India and it is easy to see why.
te was
‘Guided warmly
through the menu
by our waiter Raj,
we handed over
all responsibility
and asked to be
surprised by the
Chef.’
After the inspection visit, it was time to sit down and experience the cuisine, something
which Rajat Kalia has been working to innovate and develop since he became the new
Food & Beverage Manager at the hotel in September 2016. Rajat started his career
with Leela, who operate 9 hotels in India including 1 in Goa, over 10 years ago when
he worked at the Leela Palace in Bengaluru. He comes with great knowledge and
understanding of dining trends and innovative concepts which can enhance guest
experiences.
Needless to say, the hotel has a number of excellent eateries to choose from, 6 in
fact and our choice was Jamavar, their Indian speciality restaurant. We had been on
frustratingly restricted diets during our week in India to avoid the infamous ‘Delhi
Belly’ but now we were towards the end of our trip who could resist sampling this
menu. Guided warmly through the menu by our waiter Raj, we handed over all
responsibility and asked to be surprised by the Chef.
We were not disappointed. As you may know, Indian cuisine in its motherland is very
different to what we have in the UK and it was fun to learn as we ate about where
in India the various dishes were inspired from. My favourite was Bharwan Tandoori
Broccoli. We also sampled Daal Jamavar, Awadhi; a lamb delicacy lightly flavoured with
saffron and Dhaniya Murg, boneless drums of chicken cooked with pounded coriander.
Leela offer an excellent twin-centre package staying The Leela Palace in Delhi and its
sister property in Udaipur. Choose from a 4-night package (Palace Journeys) with 2
nights in each hotel or the longer Cultural Journeys package with 3 nights at the Leela
in Goa to relax after Delhi and Udaipur. The Leela Palace Udaipur is the only modern
palace hotel by Lake Pichola where you can enjoy a boat ride as well as visit SajjanGarh,
the monsoon palace of the Udaipur royalty, perched on a hilltop, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Jag
Mandir, BhartiyaLok Kala Mandir, Pratap Memorial and Ahar Museum.
Contact RB Collection to arrange your holiday to India.

MEET THE CAPTAIN
Interview: Serena Melani, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Another glass ceiling in the cruise world shattered last year as luxury line Regent
Seven Seas Cruises announced its first female captain. Serena Melani, 42, of
Italy, has been appointed the new master of the 48,075-ton Seven Seas Mariner,
a position that puts her in charge of 450 crew.
Melani’s first job at sea was with a cargo ship where she says she was the only
woman on board. She also worked on oil and gas tankers for several years
before moving to cruise ships. She joined Regent in 2010, rising through the
ranks of deck officers.
..
“I am a female in
a traditionally
male environment,
but when you are
onboard, you are
part of a team.
Regardless of your
gender, you have a
job to do and you
must do it well.”
Tell us about your first sailing as captain?
My maiden voyage was back in February sailing South America on board Seven Seas
Mariner. It was an extraordinary maiden itinerary visiting Uruguay, Argentina and
Brazil. The highlight was cruising the Amazon River. I then sailed two cruises around
the Caribbean Sea and East Coast USA before signing off in Miami.
Tell us a bit about your background.
I grew up in Tuscany in a small town on the coast and I have memories of the sea since
before I can remember. I am the first person in my family with a career at sea and
started on cargo ships. My early career was a great professional experience.
Where do you live when not at sea?
My husband is Croatian and grew up in Dubrovnik. We both love nature and animals
and since I was a child I dreamed of having a garden. So we chose to live on the beautiful
island of Korcula. From my terrace, I can see the Adriatic Sea, hills full of olive trees
and the other big passion in my life, mountains.
Why a career at sea?
As mentioned, I grew up with the ocean, and I also have a traveller’s soul. The boundless,
infinite horizon gives me an incredible sense of freedom.
What tips would you give anyone going on a cruise for the first time?
A cruise ship is like a small village. You can find any kind of character and it’s an
opportunity to have fantastic experiences. My advice is to approach everyone with a
friendly curiosity and you’ll have a vacation like no other.
Is there anywhere you’d like to sail as captain?
Africa would be a dream. I sailed there last October on board Seven Seas Mariner. We
cruised from Lisbon to Cape Town and it is my favourite ever itinerary. I just love animals
and the wilderness.
Where’s your next voyage?
I’ll be sailing Alaska all summer on board Seven Seas Mariner.
On a Regent Seven Seas Cruise you receive the ultra all-inclusive service with not just
your food and drinks included but also unlimited shore excursions. Both Clare & Nathan
at RB Collection have toured their ships so do speak to them on 01543 258631 or email vip@
rbcollection.com.
42 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER 43 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER

Q&A
We meet Melanie Brown from the New Zealand Wine Cellar
who shares her tips about her home country with us, and a
little about wine too!
Where in New Zealand do you come from?
Originally Auckland, but was lucky to complete my
apprenticeship in Christchurch, so have the pleasure of
experiencing both the North and South Islands.
What brought you to the UK?
Discovery! I wanted to explore new cultures and
experience the world, London was the perfect place to
base myself to travel and explore this side of the world.
Tell us a little about the New Zealand Cellar?
We’ve got the largest selection of NZ wine in the
Northern Hemisphere! Creating an online wine shop
of the very best bottles by some of the lesser known
producers of New Zealand was ambitious. I wanted to
create a portfolio of wines that showcased the integrity
of our amazing wine industry and the people within it.
Soon after we launched our online offering we opened
our first store in Brixton and it’s been astonishing to
witness the amazing recognition of New Zealand wine
in the UK.
What makes New Zealand wine so special?
I believe NZ wine has character and personality, due to
our wonderful climate and special terroir our wines are
vibrant and intriguing.
Where is your favourite spot in New Zealand?
This is a ridiculously hard question because New Zealand
has almost every landscape the world has to offer in a
country similar in size to the UK. However because
everyone knows NZ for its majestic alpine, mountains,
fiordland – I’d go for the opposite – think pristine white
sand, amazing unspoiled beaches and some of the
best sailing, diving and coast in Northland. There is an
incredible property up there called Eagles Nest on the
island of Russell. The view from any of its villas is hard
to beat!
What advice would you give a first-time visitor?
For wine lovers, explore the Classic NZ Wine Trail taking
you from Hawke’s Bay through to Marlborough via
Wellington – Marlborough produces over 70% of New
Zealand wine and is the home of Sauvignon Blanc with
some incredible wineries – a great place to start. There
are a few absolute gems nearby such as the boutique
property; Bay of Many Coves in the Queen Charlotte
Sounds, Marlborough is more than wine – the Sounds
are amazing for sailing, watersports such as kayaking
(look out for dolphins!). There are some great walks
and cycles along the Queen Charlotte track. The new
Marlborough Lodge just opened in November 2016 too.
How about a 2nd or 3rd time visitor?
New Zealand is incredibly diverse, although it’s a small
country in size there’s so much to see. Central Otago is
the most southerly wine growing region in the world,
iconic for Pinot Noir. New Zealand’s adventure capital,
Queenstown is the gateway to Otago and there are
endless adventures to be had throughout this area and
Fiordland. I would recommend organising an exclusive
tasting and some ‘meet the winemaker’ experiences,
and heading back after a full day out to somewhere like
Eichardts Private Hotel in Queenstown, or Matakauri
Lodge will top it off!
Food & wine tourism is growing in popularity, why do
you think that is and what can one expect on a visit to
New Zealand for a themed trip such as this?
I think people want to ‘experience’ rather than just
‘visit’ these days, which is why New Zealand is such a
bucket list destination in this regard. People want dining
‘experiences’, it’s more than just the food, and they want
to know that it’s local. To understand how exquisite New
Zealand’s food & wine product is, you just have to look at
our Luxury Lodges of New Zealand – all 28 properties are
incredibly unique to its surroundings, so the settings are
outstanding, and they’re world class when it comes to
the farm to table ethos - local produce and with hosted
experiences, complete with incredible wine cellars!
And finally, if you could be anywhere in New Zealand
right now, where would it be and why?
Right now, with the madness of 2016, I could do with
something that New Zealand does incredibly well – which
is the ultimate retreat, away from it all. The epitome of
this is Minaret Station, in the Mount Aspiring National
Park – luxury chalets only accessible by helicopter in one
of the most incredible spots mother nature could offer.
20% OFF your first order
We have arranged a special offer for all
our readers to take advantage of. Simply
use the code ‘RBCollection’ when you
place your first order with The New
Zealand Cellar and you will receive a
20% reduction.
Order online at
www.thenewzealandcellar.co.uk.
Terms & Conditons apply.

46 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER