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Travel & Hospitality Awards | Europe 2020 | www.thawards.com

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Featuring editorial content from<br />

<strong>Europe</strong><br />

<strong>2020</strong>


The Kaprun<br />

Edition<br />

<br />

Address: Schulstraße 15, 5710 Kaprun, Österreich, Austria<br />

Telephone: +43 664 9416950<br />

Email: info@thekaprunedition.at<br />

URL: <strong>www</strong>.thekaprunedition.at


Sponsor and<br />

Partners


TEAM<br />

CEO<br />

Robert Bruce<br />

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF<br />

Katherine Lozell<br />

ART DIRECTOR<br />

Marcs Bacera<br />

DIRECTOR OF SALES<br />

Stanley Lucas<br />

EDITORIAL LIAISON MANAGER<br />

David Hyde<br />

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING<br />

Azim Aftab<br />

SENIOR WRITERS<br />

Tasmai Dave<br />

Jacqui Irvine<br />

Joseph Wilton<br />

SENIOR DESIGNERS<br />

Antoine Jackson<br />

Hafiz Arslan<br />

AWARDS MANAGERS<br />

Brian Anson<br />

Adam Cole<br />

Zach Ford<br />

Peter Clement<br />

Alice Smith<br />

Joyce Lee<br />

RESEARCHERS<br />

Jerald Jaime<br />

Mukul Rehman<br />

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />

Tracy Morgan<br />

Aisha Ahmed<br />

Contents <br />

Criteria 6<br />

Editors letter 10<br />

The Super 8 14<br />

Elegance Hotel Kemer 16<br />

The Kaprun Edition 18<br />

Arli Hotel Hideaway Punta Ala 22<br />

Hotel Bretagne 26<br />

Sithonia Lodge 28<br />

Private Villa Porto 30<br />

The Millhouse Lodge 32<br />

Wonderful Home 34<br />

Romantic Places in <strong>Europe</strong> 36<br />

5 of the Best 36<br />

Dubrovnik | Croatia 40<br />

Prijeko Palace 42<br />

Reykjavik | Iceland 44<br />

Vakta House 46<br />

Rhodes | Greece 48<br />

St. Artemios Boutique Hotel by Artesa 50<br />

Vidago | Portugal 52<br />

Solar De Oura 54<br />

Vorarlberg | Austria 56<br />

Pure Resort Warth 58<br />

A Villa Holiday 60<br />

Booking a Villa Holiday 62<br />

Shantivillas, Casa do Alemão 64<br />

Aeolos Luxury Villas & Suites 66<br />

Luxury Villas 68<br />

Villa Valeria by Maison d’Lux 72<br />

The Aurora Villa 74<br />

Unique Villas 76<br />

Windmill Villas 78<br />

A Villa Hotel 80<br />

Villa Vuchev 82<br />

Best Boutique Hotels of <strong>Europe</strong> 84<br />

Westlodge Hotel Princess Bergfrieden 88<br />

Hotel Graçˇanica 90<br />

Évika Boutique Hotel 92<br />

Liepupes Muiža 94<br />

UMI Hotel 96<br />

A Little Adventure, Goes a Long<br />

Way 98<br />

Snow Sports 100<br />

Alpine Ski School 102<br />

Kayaking, Abseiling and Coasteering 104<br />

Jersey Adventures 106<br />

Water Sports 108<br />

Surf in Crete 110<br />

L&T Lengermann & Trieschmann GmbH & Co.<br />

KG 112<br />

Scuba Diving 114<br />

Dive-In Limassol 116<br />

Motorcycle Touring 118<br />

Cultural Enrichment 124<br />

Workshops 127<br />

Hanne Mi’s Ceramic Art<br />

Studio 128<br />

Gastronomic Experiences 130<br />

Cooking Experience Lecce 132<br />

Mediterranean Culinary<br />

Academy 133<br />

Athens Wine Tasting 134<br />

Dedham Vale Vineyard 136<br />

Historical Sites 138<br />

Spike Island Tours 140<br />

#letsmuseeum 144<br />

Lavender Museum Luberon 146<br />

The Mediterranean 148<br />

Portugal 150<br />

Avenidas - Tours & Transfers 152<br />

H10 Duque de Loule 154<br />

Lisbon 156<br />

Week Break Tours, Lda 158<br />

The Best of Lisbon 160<br />

Neya Lisboa Eco Hotel 162<br />

Food and Drink in Lisbon 164<br />

TakingUThere (TUT <strong>Travel</strong><br />

Lda.) 166<br />

Setubal Top 5 168<br />

RM Guesthouse 171<br />

The Algarve 172<br />

Casa da Lila, Silves 178<br />

CarvoeiroCaves ® 180<br />

Conversas de Alpendre 182<br />

Santarem Portugal’s<br />

Hidden Gem 184<br />

Ollem Turismo 186<br />

Spain 188<br />

Barcelona 190<br />

Barcelona Holiday 194<br />

Lydia Sekuri 196<br />

Ibiza More than just<br />

a party town 198<br />

Maison d’Lux 202<br />

Parramatta Boutique Hotel 204<br />

Italy 206<br />

The Blue Walk 208<br />

Campania Off the Beaten<br />

Path 210<br />

Dolce Vita Limousine<br />

(di Cuomo Marco) 212<br />

Greece 214<br />

Greek Sailing Holiday<br />

Things to Consider 216<br />

Angel Sailing Santorini 220<br />

Panos Boats & Trips 222<br />

Athens An Underrated<br />

Capital 224<br />

Let’s Book <strong>Travel</strong> 227<br />

Motorcycle Legendary<br />

Rides Greece 228<br />

Evdimal Luxury Group of<br />

Companies 230<br />

Zante 232<br />

Stand Up Paddle Surf Zante 234<br />

Nefis <strong>Travel</strong> – Private Day<br />

Tours 236<br />

Kefalonia 238<br />

Volidiera Guesthouse 240<br />

Santorini 242<br />

Luna Santorini Suites 244<br />

Venetsanos Winery 246<br />

A day in Mykonos 248<br />

Mykonos Transfer Services 250<br />

Rhodes The island that<br />

has it all 252<br />

Accessible Rhodes 256<br />

Turkey 258<br />

Izmir Turkeys Hidden Gem 260<br />

Incirliev – Special Category 262<br />

Alpsuites 264<br />

Eastern <strong>Europe</strong> 266<br />

Russia 268<br />

parallel 60 270<br />

Moscow A City Apart 272<br />

Express to Russia 276<br />

Verba Mayr Austrian<br />

Health Center 278<br />

Kaliningrad Oblast<br />

Something Different 280<br />

hotel 12 282<br />

Biysk Gateway to the Altai 284<br />

Bulgaria 286<br />

Bulgaria Top 5 288<br />

Scandinavia 290<br />

Iceland 292<br />

Southern Iceland 294<br />

Úthlíd Cottages 298<br />

Hotel VOS 300<br />

East Iceland, The County<br />

Less <strong>Travel</strong>led 302<br />

Álfheimar Country Hotel 304<br />

Norway 306<br />

Oslo 308<br />

Berg Reiser 312<br />

Sweden 314<br />

Norrland Meet the Sami 316<br />

Pike Paradise Lodge 318<br />

Jonkoping An Outdoor<br />

Holiday 320<br />

Vox Hotel 322<br />

Central <strong>Europe</strong> 324<br />

Germany 326<br />

Baden Wurttenburg Our<br />

one to Watch 334<br />

Haus Aissa 335<br />

Switzerland 336<br />

Typically Swiss Tours and<br />

More 342<br />

Switzerland Top 5 344<br />

Hotel Pazzola 347<br />

Austria 348<br />

Croatia 354<br />

Four Seasons <strong>Travel</strong> Croatia 362<br />

Olive House 364<br />

UK and Ireland 366<br />

United Kingdom 368<br />

London Day Trips Away 370<br />

Bespoke Black Cab Tours 372<br />

The Nadler Victoria 374<br />

Wellington Hotel<br />

by Blue Orchid 376<br />

Leeds A City on the Rise 378<br />

Pedego Electric Bikes<br />

Leeds Tours and Rentals 380<br />

Visit Scotland 382<br />

Ireland 388<br />

Counties of Ireland 390<br />

County Clare 391<br />

County Kilkenny 392<br />

Laragh House 395<br />

Count Kerry Top 3 396<br />

Quinlan and Cooke Boutique<br />

Townhouse and<br />

QCs Seafood Restaurant 398


SERVICE<br />

STYLE & DESIGN<br />

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE<br />

Criteria <br />

Excellence in Service is an important category,<br />

as customer service can often be responsible<br />

for having guests return year after year. We<br />

look for the hotels and tour operators that go<br />

out of their way to please their guests, those<br />

that provide a personal level of service and<br />

take the time to get to know each visitor so<br />

that they might anticipate their every need.<br />

This can be something as simple as a 24-hour<br />

concierge desk, a hotel manager who offers<br />

a personal greeting or a tour guide who is<br />

happy to create bespoke private tours – but<br />

whatever it is, we are always pleased when we<br />

encounter staff that have been trained in the<br />

art of customer satisfaction.<br />

It is no question that style and design plays<br />

a big part in selecting our awards shortlist.<br />

A guest will form an opinion about a hotel<br />

as soon as they arrive so it is important to<br />

us that all our winners make those first<br />

impressions count. We’re certainly not partial<br />

to a particular period of architecture – but<br />

whether we’re judging a gothic castle or an<br />

environmentally friendly lodge, the criteria<br />

remains the same. We consider factors such<br />

as architectural features, use of materials,<br />

creation of spaces, décor and the overall<br />

feel. We love it when we find a hotel that tells<br />

a story though its design and construction,<br />

or offers a design that is sympathetic to the<br />

natural surroundings of its location.<br />

Knowledge of the local area is essential for any<br />

organization, be it a hotel or a tour operator. The<br />

quality of services takes a great hit when the<br />

quality of this element is not up to the mark.<br />

Quite a few of our winners in this category<br />

are because they have displayed excellent<br />

knowledge about the surrounding areas. The<br />

criteria for a hotel is slightly lenient <strong>com</strong>pared<br />

to a tour operator, as the latter is expected to<br />

have thorough knowledge of the area in order<br />

to provide good services.


FACILITIES<br />

MARKETING<br />

DIVERSITY<br />

CUSTOMER REVIEWS<br />

INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE<br />

LOCATION<br />

Award-winning guest rooms <strong>com</strong>e in all<br />

shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing<br />

in <strong>com</strong>mon – a home-away-from-home feel.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>fort of the facilities on offer are of vital<br />

importance; we look for luxurious linens, stylish<br />

bathrooms and a coordinated colour scheme<br />

that work together to create a cohesive sense<br />

of relaxation. Additional touches, such as<br />

<strong>com</strong>plimentary toiletries, free wi-fi or tea and<br />

coffee making facilities are always a bonus<br />

in making us feel wel<strong>com</strong>e. We’re always<br />

impressed to find hotel rooms that embrace<br />

technology and offer amenities like tablets<br />

or smart thermostat systems, but this does<br />

not always necessarily trump the traditional –<br />

four poster beds, ornate fireplaces or antique<br />

furniture can add a touch of decadence to a<br />

hotel stay.<br />

In today’s modern age, a hotel or tour operator<br />

cannot rely on word of mouth to get their<br />

message out into the world. As social media<br />

has be<strong>com</strong>e a vital part of everyday life, we<br />

like to see <strong>com</strong>panies that go the extra mile<br />

to engage with their guests, both past and<br />

future. Attractive and informative websites and<br />

engaging and honest content are what we look<br />

for when judging a <strong>com</strong>pany’s use of marketing;<br />

how well they display their services, how up-todate<br />

their content is, how well they get their<br />

brand message across, and, most importantly,<br />

how well their marketing can tempt us to go<br />

and see what they have to offer for ourselves.<br />

Diversity is one important aspect that needs to<br />

be taken into consideration when in the travel<br />

and hospitality industry. It is essential to have<br />

staff that has varying diversity to ensure that<br />

the organization can properly connect with their<br />

guests. Diversity is taken into account in terms<br />

of gender, nationality as well as languages<br />

spoken among other factors. Not only do we<br />

take the diversity of the staff into account but<br />

even that of the facilities and services offered;<br />

a hotel or tour operator providing a better range<br />

of services is preferred over those that do not.<br />

What better way is there to know about an<br />

organization than by getting first hand reviews?<br />

Customers are the best judges of any service<br />

as they are the ones who experience them and<br />

can assess whether they were up to the mark<br />

or not. Considering reviews from hundreds<br />

of customers gives us a fair idea about the<br />

general pros and cons of any organization<br />

and also gives us valuable inputs for the other<br />

criteria as well.<br />

It is of prime importance that an organization<br />

has thorough industry knowledge. Without<br />

knowing the nit-bits of the industry, it is difficult<br />

to flourish and provide services which are a<br />

class apart. Before any organization ventures<br />

into the industry, it is essential that they know<br />

how the industry is moving and how they<br />

should make changes to their methodologies<br />

in order to remain relevant and also be a topperforming<br />

organization.<br />

Location is one of the most important factors,<br />

but also one of the most subjective, as the ‘ideal’<br />

is very much determined by the type of visitor<br />

and the type of hotel itself. However, there are<br />

a few factors we take into consideration when<br />

determining the winners of location-based<br />

awards. The first is convenience; that is, hotels<br />

that are easy to travel to. Many of our winners<br />

in this category are in convenient locations,<br />

such as adjacent to airports, close to beaches or<br />

found in the heart of easy-to-navigate cities. We<br />

are always impressed when hotels go the extra<br />

mile to take the hassle out of traveling and offer<br />

such additional services as airport shuttles or<br />

car hire services. However, we’re always excited<br />

to <strong>com</strong>e across a hotel that is, to use a familiar<br />

phrase, off-the-beaten-track. A hotel that can<br />

offer something a little different, in terms of<br />

natural surroundings, can make the difference<br />

between a good holiday and an incredible one.


Editors letter<br />

The travel industry in <strong>2020</strong> has been<br />

gravely impacted by the arrival<br />

of Covid-19, and how we all operate<br />

will likely change drastically, at least<br />

until the potential arrival of a vaccine.<br />

Not just because of the imposed<br />

restrictions but the on<strong>com</strong>ing social<br />

changes that will change the way we<br />

all live. Consumers will be faced with all<br />

new considerations for travel putting<br />

their trust in the systems and measures<br />

the industry establishes to protect<br />

against further spreading of the virus.<br />

A faith which many may not have,<br />

particularly among older travellers<br />

with greater health fears. The industry<br />

must adapt as attitudes and trends<br />

change with people getting more<br />

accustom to social distancing measures.<br />

“We will<br />

travel again”<br />

Airports with their densely packed queues of people<br />

passing through security checkpoints and waiting in<br />

terminals will need to establish new systems to keep<br />

their passengers and staff safe. Infrared thermometers,<br />

facemasks and distance markers are already be<strong>com</strong>ing<br />

<strong>com</strong>monplace. New sanitation measures are being<br />

introduced and staff are keeping passengers separated<br />

wherever possible. Advanced testing is also being<br />

discussed which could form part of a health passports<br />

approving passengers for travel.<br />

Airlines should also be considering how they are going<br />

to operate under the new conditions. Will we start to see<br />

aircraft redesigns for separation and increased personal<br />

space? Concepts are floating around for screens<br />

separating passengers and new seating arrangements.<br />

For the time being, the reduced passenger capacity has<br />

allowed for the separation of mask wearing passengers<br />

with empty seats.


The hotel industry will be subject to all<br />

new cleaning standards with major hotel<br />

brands already establishing new guidelines on<br />

health, hygiene and safety. All of which should<br />

be put on full display to inspire confidence in<br />

those staying at the property and to avoid any<br />

potentially detrimental trip advisor scores. This<br />

will of course add to the already significant<br />

and time-consuming cost of cleaning.<br />

Tour operators will also facing new difficulties.<br />

There is now an issue with capacity in popular<br />

tourist locations if crowds are to continue to be<br />

avoided. Those Instagram hotspots with large<br />

groups waiting their turn to take a photograph<br />

in front of the key attractions they came to see,<br />

are places where social distancing will be hard<br />

to enforce. Tour <strong>com</strong>panies will likely be putting<br />

reduced crowding as a priority going forward.<br />

For an industry that is largely made up of group<br />

activities and transportation in buses and<br />

private cars this will be a difficult task to address.<br />

Private tours which were already seeing a rise in<br />

popularity may be<strong>com</strong>e the preferred option.


Iceland<br />

The Super 8


Merkez mah. 106. Sok No 5,<br />

Kemer 07435 Turkey<br />

Tel +90 242 814 3242<br />

<strong>www</strong>.elegancehotelkemer.<strong>com</strong><br />

Elegance Hotel Kemer<br />

Turkey | Affordable Hotel<br />

Elegance Hotel provides spacious and <strong>com</strong>fortable ac<strong>com</strong>modation for<br />

visitors to Kemer. It is a new hotel with a stylish design and a sophisticated<br />

atmosphere. They offer a selection of double rooms and family suites. All of their<br />

rooms are equipped with deluxe mattresses and fresh bed linen for ultimate<br />

<strong>com</strong>fort. Each room is equipt with a flat screen satellite TV, a mini fridge and<br />

coffee making facilities. Rooms are fully airconditioned to further ensure guests<br />

<strong>com</strong>fort. There is a delicious breakfast spread each morning and an open buffet<br />

every day at the poolside. You can also get <strong>com</strong>plimentary tea, coffee, and water<br />

anywhere in the hotel and at the Tea Coffee Corner.<br />

Their open-air swimming pool is available<br />

exclusively to the hotels guests, where<br />

they can splash around in the water or<br />

lie down and relax in one of the poolside<br />

sun loungers. Also avaliable are<br />

their traditional Hammam and Sauna<br />

room if you prefer to detoxify and feel<br />

invigorated. In addition they offer a<br />

variety of SPA treatments to suit your<br />

needs. If you are a fan of the sea, you<br />

can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches<br />

only a short 5-minute walk away.<br />

Kemer is a popular seaside resort<br />

surrounded by an abundance of natural<br />

beauty. There are numerous beaches<br />

with pristine blue waters in the vicinity.<br />

You can see the sights of the ancient<br />

city of Phaselis or explore the famous<br />

Burning Rock. Discover prehistoric ruins<br />

and get lost in the imposing caves of<br />

the area. Goynuk canyon is a beautiful<br />

natural park popular for white water<br />

rafting and numerous other exciting<br />

adventures for the whole family. Green<br />

forests are abound so if you are fond<br />

of hiking there is no shortage of hiking<br />

routes nearby.


Schulstraße 15, 5710 Kaprun,<br />

Österreich, Austria<br />

The Kaprun Edition<br />

Austria | Luxury Chalets<br />

Tel +43 664 9416950<br />

Susanne Fischer:<br />

“I am very glad to win the <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> Award for the second time<br />

in a row. With great pride, I wish to present my newest house: Style Lodge by<br />

Susanne Fischer. This house brings to life the newest trends and the future<br />

of tourism with high-quality standards in a traditional and modern style in the<br />

center of Kaprun.<br />

Our Style Suites offer highest <strong>com</strong>fort with a generous living area, fully-equipped<br />

designer kitchen, and <strong>com</strong>e with a private sauna. The Suites provide 4 or 7<br />

sleeping rooms which can ac<strong>com</strong>modate up to 18 guests; each sleeping room<br />

has its private bathroom.<br />

info@thekaprunedition.at<br />

<strong>www</strong>.thekaprunedition.at<br />

They are especially proud of their<br />

Penthouse Suite:<br />

The Suite offers space for two guests. The<br />

highlight of this Suite is the big terrace<br />

with a glass-panorama-sauna and<br />

private whirlpool that give a spectacular<br />

view of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.”<br />

Nestled amidst the Hohe Tauern<br />

mountains and at the foot of the<br />

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, lies the picturesque<br />

little village of Kaprun. Located only 300<br />

metres from the Lechnerberg Ski Lift, the<br />

Kaprun Edition, winner of <strong>Travel</strong> and<br />

<strong>Hospitality</strong> <strong>Awards</strong> for the second time<br />

in a row. This is the proud achievement<br />

of Susanne Fischer, who is passionate<br />

about delivering top-notch hospitality<br />

and are dedicated to taking care of their<br />

guests’ each and every need.


The Kaprun Edition offers a selection of<br />

magnificent ac<strong>com</strong>modation, whether you are<br />

interested in indulging in a <strong>com</strong>pletely relaxing<br />

time away from home, or looking to experience<br />

the thrills and adrenaline rush of winter sports.<br />

It’s a little village resort of its own and <strong>com</strong>prises<br />

of uniquely designed lodges, ranging from stylish<br />

wooden suites, chalets and penthouses, to cabins<br />

suspended on stilts. Visit their homepage <strong>www</strong>.<br />

thekaprunedition.at to get an overview of the<br />

variety of ac<strong>com</strong>modation they provide and book<br />

your dream stay.<br />

The different size chalets avaliable at the <strong>com</strong>plex<br />

include; The Style Suites offering the highest<br />

<strong>com</strong>fort with a generous living area, fully-equipped<br />

designer kitchen, and <strong>com</strong>e with a private sauna.<br />

The Suites provide 4 or 7 sleeping rooms which can<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modate up to 18 guests; each sleeping room<br />

has its private bathroom. The stunningly designed<br />

Fly High chalets, where you simply feel like you are<br />

floating above the ground with the added bonus of<br />

incredible panoramic views of the glacial scenery.<br />

Most of the chalets include a terrace with a private<br />

hot tub and many of them can cater for large parties<br />

of up to 16 people. The Penthouse Suite offers<br />

space for two guests. The highlight of this Suite is<br />

the big terrace with a glass-panorama-sauna and<br />

private whirlpool that gives a spectacular view of<br />

the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.<br />

The apartments contain all necessary<br />

amenities including a toaster, microwave<br />

and refrigerator as well as flat-screen TVs.<br />

Simply discuss your requirements with the<br />

hosts and they will assign you the most<br />

appropriate chalet for your needs.<br />

The surrounding valley is popular for bike<br />

and hike enthusiasts alike. Kaprun is one of<br />

the most attractive regions in the province<br />

of Salzburg with a very diverse choice of<br />

activities for those interested in exploring<br />

the surrounding area. As the winter sets in,<br />

guests have a wide choice of skiing regions<br />

to visit, from easier, family-friendly slopes<br />

to thrill-filled glacial downhills. If skiing is<br />

not your thing, there are plenty of snow<br />

hikes and walks to go on that allow you to<br />

experience the beauty of Alpine winter in<br />

Zell am See-Kaprun.<br />

In the springtime, as the snow melts away prepare<br />

to be dazzled by the <strong>com</strong>plete change of scenery.<br />

Long, refreshing walks along the blooming valleys and<br />

intricate cycling hikes along the heart of the region<br />

and up through the mountains, stopping to admire<br />

the spectacular natural beauty or have a swim in one<br />

of the waterfalls.


Via del Pozzino, 2, 58043 Punta Ala,<br />

Grosseto, Italia<br />

Tel +39 0564 923184<br />

<strong>www</strong>.arlihotelpuntaala.<strong>com</strong><br />

Arli Hotel Hideaway<br />

Punta Ala<br />

Italy | Boutique Hotel<br />

Located in Tuscany, in the famous seaside resort of Punta Ala in the province<br />

of Grosseto, Arli Hotel is the perfect hideaway with 4-star qualities.<br />

Situated in beautiful green gardens, this is a relaxation Haven for anyone who<br />

values their rest and rejuvenation as much as exploring rural Italy. The approach<br />

at Arli hotel is uniquely personal and this is evident by the importance staff place<br />

on their guest’s enjoyment and satisfaction.<br />

The hotel offers 28 rooms exclusively designed in a way that allows guests to<br />

<strong>com</strong>pletely feel like they are at a home away from home. All rooms are elegantly<br />

furnished and <strong>com</strong>e with either a balcony or a patio. ARLI Hotel is interested in<br />

timeless, guest-centric hospitality experiences, not design styles or flavor-ofthe-month<br />

approaches.<br />

Guests are treated to a delicious buffet<br />

breakfast full of delicious local produce<br />

every morning and the staff can cater for<br />

a variety of special diets including vegan,<br />

gluten-free and paleo. There is also a<br />

selection of light and fresh lunch options<br />

as well as evening wine and cocktails.<br />

The hotel grounds are carefully tended,<br />

featuring an amazing infinity pool with<br />

sun loungers and umbrellas where guests<br />

can relax and take in the natural beauty<br />

of the surrounding area. Renting a bike is<br />

a popular pastime and gives guests the<br />

chance to explore the nearby beach, the<br />

port and local restaurants and other areas<br />

of interest.<br />

Arli Hotel also gives special attention to<br />

Design & Archiproducts (Inkiostrobianco,<br />

Sicis, Marazzi, Emu), which are all made<br />

in Italy, and are light and non-intrusive.<br />

It’s also <strong>com</strong>pletely eco-friendly and has<br />

electric car and bike recharge points, is<br />

dog-friendly, and adults only, too.<br />

This is first-class hospitality at its best<br />

so if you are searching for somewhere to<br />

unwind and relax, look no further.


Interview with Executive Chief<br />

Manager Holistic Management:<br />

Miss. Francesca Lopez Spajani<br />

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.<br />

I’m the 3rd generation of matriarchal<br />

hoteliers, I’m proud to be so honored;<br />

and auspicious to work always<br />

in this amazing field. Operations<br />

management within an holistic mind,<br />

that’s my leadership fundamental<br />

steps of practice and knowledge.<br />

Q. What led you to open the ARLI<br />

Hotel Hideaway Punta Ala?<br />

After years of hotel experience I<br />

decided was the right moment to be<br />

back to memories in this beautiful<br />

natural place as it is Punta Ala. And<br />

renovate like on a familiar naturalchic<br />

style, to pamper every guest of<br />

mine. We meet by chance, but there is<br />

perhaps a reason...<br />

Q. Where did the name <strong>com</strong>e from?<br />

ARLI Hotel in Bergamo is our hometown hotel, where<br />

my grandfather named his first hotel. Thinking that<br />

peaceful and relaxing feeling that a Hideaway gives us,<br />

Punta Ala is the perfect match to rejuvenate body & mind,<br />

so by the lineage it <strong>com</strong>es by itself: ARLI Hotel Hideaway<br />

in Punta Ala.<br />

Q. The first thing that caught our judge’s eyes was<br />

the décor, homely and contemporary interiors.<br />

What is the inspiration behind this?<br />

I do love to be updating interiors all the time within expo<br />

and Archiproducts so, thinking of that “feeling at home<br />

away from home” style, it’s a good inclination.<br />

Q. Who would you say is your target market?<br />

For sure adults, nowadays there’s too much of everything,<br />

kind a pollution against sane inspiration. Adults need<br />

to recharge and restore sleep, mind, body and detach<br />

from routine’s life: unplug sometimes. Couples need to<br />

recharge their couple as well. Professionals need to focus<br />

on their inspirational leading.<br />

Q. What’s <strong>com</strong>ing next in ARLI Hotels group?<br />

In 2021: LifeSource Hotel in Bergamo:<br />

A multifunctional center in 12,000 meters of parkland<br />

with 126 rooms, apartments, medi-SPA, restaurants ,and<br />

congress center.<br />

In 2022: ARLI Family Hotel in Punta Ala: like a “Beach<br />

House” for families travelling with kids.


Sauntevej 18, 3100 Hornbæk, Denmark Tel +45 2260 3100 <strong>www</strong>.hotelbretagne.dk<br />

Hotel Bretagne<br />

Denmark | Luxury Hotel<br />

Hornbæk a small town, on the “the Danish Riviera” is the home of Hotel<br />

Bretagne.<br />

The area has always been popular among the “high society” and in the end of<br />

1930 became one of the famous destinations for summer holidays for the middle<br />

class. During the 1970 and 1980, it became cheap to fly on charted vacation, and<br />

“the Dark ages” began, the era of “badehotellerne” a category of small privatelyowned<br />

hotels near the beach, was over. In the 1990 there was a small spark in<br />

the dark, the Danish and Nordic gastronomy, began a transformation journey,<br />

which became “The new Nordic food manifesto” in 2004, a foundation which<br />

many wonderful restaurants created upon. With this manifesto the tools to<br />

revive these wonderful small hotels were present, and with the help of the tv<br />

series “badehotellet” created in 2013, the interest was growing.<br />

The small hotel in Hornbæk, has been part<br />

of this very special story, and in 2015, it<br />

seemed that the story was at an end, the<br />

building had been empty since 2013, and<br />

it was made public that the plans were<br />

to sell it to the government. But Henrik<br />

Frederiksen, thought otherwise and<br />

bought the building, and the restoration<br />

of Hotel Bretagne became a reality. Since<br />

the reopening in April 2017, the “new”<br />

story of Hotel Bretagne is being written,<br />

a story about a couple of hoteliers that<br />

dreamed of creating something special,<br />

not something new, but something built<br />

on many years of experience, failures,<br />

and successes, and it was founded on<br />

a very simple concept based on a set<br />

of values: Courage; to challenge our<br />

self and our guest, Professionalism;<br />

a concept based on experience and<br />

passion, <strong>Hospitality</strong>; a genuine interest<br />

in our guests and creating authentic<br />

experiences.


Metamorfosis, Sithonia Greece Tel +302375061506 <strong>www</strong>.sithonialodge.<strong>com</strong><br />

Sithonia Lodge<br />

Greece | Lodge<br />

Sithonia Lodge is a newly refurbished cluster of holiday homes located in<br />

Sithonia, the second leg of the Halkidiki Peninsula, a very touristic place<br />

just an hour away from Thessaloniki Airport.<br />

Built in the middle of a pine tree field and surrounded by green grass, the area<br />

is ideal for guests looking for serenity and calmness to achieve maximum<br />

relaxation. Sithonia Lodge is pet-friendly and ideal for families.<br />

Their small holiday homes sleep up to 4-5 people with one double and one single<br />

bed in the bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, a <strong>com</strong>fortable living<br />

room with a sofa bed and a terrace overlooking the green garden.<br />

The medium-sized homes have a more<br />

spacious living room with two <strong>com</strong>fortable sofa<br />

beds and are suitable for more guests. If you<br />

are a larger party, then opt for ‘Artemis’ holiday<br />

home that can host up to 9-11 occupants, with<br />

three bedrooms and three bathrooms spread<br />

over 3 floors and a <strong>com</strong>fortable living room<br />

and private terrace.<br />

Askamnia, the nearest beach, is literally<br />

a two-minute walk. This beautiful natural<br />

beach stretches alongside the Sithonia<br />

peninsula and due to the difficult access from<br />

the street, it offers quite a privacy.<br />

Mixed sand and small pebbles make<br />

sunbathing a breeze. Sithonia Lodge offers<br />

sun loungers and umbrellas to the guests<br />

<strong>com</strong>plimentary. If you are more adventurous,<br />

start walking west to discover secret bays<br />

where you can relax away from the crowds<br />

under the hidden shades of pine trees.<br />

The village of Metamorfosi is only 600<br />

meters away and has shops, tavernas, and<br />

bars. There are many traditional villages,<br />

monasteries, and sights around this area<br />

waiting to be discovered so there is never a<br />

shortage of exciting things to do.


R. do Monte dos Judeus 85-93,<br />

4050-412 Porto, Portugal<br />

Tel +351 934 607 622<br />

privatevillaporto.pt-portugal.<strong>com</strong><br />

Private Villa Porto<br />

Portugal | Bed & Breakfast<br />

Located in the historic centre of Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, Private<br />

Villa Porto is a magnificent building that boasts exquisite views of Douro<br />

River. The Villa <strong>com</strong>prises 8 large, authentic rooms uniquely designed, offering<br />

modern amenities such as WIFI, air-con and a flat-screen TV. All rooms are<br />

elegantly decorated, with delicate touches that give them a distinctively<br />

serene feel. A breakfast buffet is included in the price and consists of delicious<br />

pastries, cold meats and cheese and coffee and juice. Cold drinks are also<br />

available in the minibar.<br />

The hotel grounds consist of several<br />

terraces and patios with great views<br />

over the river and a lovely garden where<br />

guests can enjoy a moment of calm<br />

during their morning coffee or while read<br />

ing a book protected from the day’s heat.<br />

With a score of nearly 10/10 on online<br />

booking platforms, it doesn’t <strong>com</strong>e as a<br />

surprise that the Villa won the <strong>Travel</strong> and<br />

<strong>Hospitality</strong> Award for Historic Bed and<br />

Breakfast of the Year.<br />

Located in front of the Congress Centre,<br />

Private Villa Porto is right in the centre of<br />

the city with numerous places of interest<br />

in the nearby vicinity. The famous<br />

national museum is only 300m away and<br />

so are the Cristal Palace Gardens. It is<br />

only a 10-minute walk to the city centre<br />

so you have everything you need at your<br />

fingertips: amazing markets, restaurants<br />

serving delicious local food and plenty<br />

of walking trails that lead you to less<br />

frequented part of the city.


Borgarbraut 4, 851 Þykkvibær, Iceland Tel +354 775 1333 <strong>www</strong>. millhouse.is<br />

The Millhouse Lodge<br />

Iceland | Lodge<br />

The Millhouse Lodge is situated in an incredible location in the southern part<br />

of Iceland. It is a calm and tranquil setting, perfect for travellers who long<br />

for some quality time away from the business and buzz of the capital city. The<br />

Lodge consists of three separate cottages with one, three and four bedrooms<br />

respectively. The wooden design style exudes a warm and peaceful vibe, perfect<br />

for unwinding and spending time with loved ones.<br />

All three cottages are equipped with modern amenities including cooker and<br />

fridge for those guests who chose to cater for themselves during their stay. Rooms<br />

<strong>com</strong>e with flat-screen TVs with digital channels and free WIFI internet is available<br />

throughout the property. Complimentary toiletries are provided for all guests as are<br />

soft bathrobes.<br />

Rooms open out to a patio and they all<br />

offer grand views of the surrounding hills<br />

and river. The entire place was recently<br />

renovated and it has a spacious and clean<br />

design, with large bay windows that reveal<br />

gorgeous, picturesque landscapes. The<br />

<strong>com</strong>mon rooms are perfect for family and<br />

group gatherings and meal times.<br />

The location is excellent for exploring the<br />

magical places Iceland is known for. There<br />

is a black beach only a short 20-minute<br />

walk and the property is surrounded by<br />

green fields, farms and a large salmon<br />

village to the east. If driving, guests are<br />

only a 10-minute drive from the main ring<br />

road that leads to some of Iceland’s most<br />

famous volcanoes.


Handelsvägen 17,<br />

571 62 Bodafors, Sweden<br />

Tel +46 76 095 59 23<br />

wonderful-home.business.site<br />

Wonderful Home<br />

Sweden | Stylish Guest House<br />

Wonderful Home - a wonderful place for the most varied holiday. Their<br />

Guest House has been receiving guests from different countries since<br />

2013!<br />

Sweden is magnificent, Sweden has parks and rose gardens that cover<br />

thousands of kilometers, awe-inspiring mountains, age-old castles, lakes, and<br />

rivers brimming with crystal clear water and most importantly fresh, clean air.<br />

Swedish small cities have a unique “color and flavor” and a special charm. It’s a<br />

lively country with a living soul!<br />

Wonderful Home is an art-guesthouse in which lions can find a unique author’s<br />

atmosphere of home <strong>com</strong>fort, antiques, a lot of music, a lot of flowers, beautiful<br />

surroundings, and sights of Sweden.<br />

WH <strong>com</strong>es with the necessary share of <strong>com</strong>fortable rest: cozy rooms, billiards,<br />

bike rental.<br />

Located in central Bodafors, Wonderful<br />

Home offers free parking and individually<br />

decorated rooms with free internet<br />

access. All rooms at Wonderful Home<br />

have access to shared bathroom<br />

facilities and a fully equipt <strong>com</strong>munal<br />

kitchen. BBQ facilities are also available<br />

for guests’ use. Afternoon tea or homecooked<br />

meals can be ordered upon<br />

request. Relaxation options include a<br />

garden, patio and <strong>com</strong>munal TV lounge<br />

with a fireplace. Guests can enjoy a<br />

game of darts or pool on site.<br />

In Bodafors there is a unique Eman - Eco<br />

museum with a very beautiful forest and<br />

a picturesque stream. There is a Toys<br />

Museum and Radio Museum. Lots of<br />

interesting cycling routes lead to some<br />

places of interest: Old Fortresses, runic<br />

stones, ancient churches, and lakes. Not<br />

far from there are famous parks: High<br />

Chaparral, Astrid Lindgren Park, Visingo<br />

Castle, Växjö Glass-Museum, Little Rock-<br />

Sweden Zipline, Old Town Eksjö, Train<br />

Museum Nässjö, protected forests, ruins<br />

of fortresses, sunny Jonkoping and the<br />

huge lake Vättern.


Romantic Places<br />

Croatia<br />

in <strong>Europe</strong><br />

<br />

5 of the Best


Romantic holidays are big business.<br />

Today anything from a short weekend<br />

break to a long exploratory trip can count<br />

as a romantic holiday. You wouldn’t be<br />

entirely wrong to assume that it’s only the<br />

people who matter and as long you’re with<br />

the one you love you don’t need anything<br />

else. It is a simple viewpoint but not one<br />

that sits well with us. The right destination<br />

will always enhance and enrich any<br />

romantic holiday.<br />

It’s about finding your niche as a couple,<br />

whether it be beautiful sandy beaches,<br />

hilly countryside retreats, gorgeous snow<br />

topped mountains, charming old towns<br />

there is something for every couple.<br />

We’ve included some of our favourites in<br />

this chapter and a few tips for our own<br />

perfect romantic getaway<br />

Go for a Trial Run<br />

This is more for those planning their first holiday<br />

together as a couple. Rather than jumping into<br />

a longer trip it’s worth testing the water with a<br />

night away somewhere much closer to home.<br />

Time together like this may help pick up on any<br />

traits or habits that may get on your nerves or<br />

displease you. Together you can iron out these<br />

issues and then better prepare for a much<br />

longer trip.<br />

Personal Touches<br />

It’s the little personal things that will make the holiday truly special<br />

and it’s worth fining a way to make the trip personal to the two of you.<br />

Maybe surprise flowers or chocolates at the hotel, or go to a place<br />

that means something, maybe relive a few shared experiences,<br />

whatever it may be the more personal it is the more special the<br />

holiday is.<br />

Finding the Right Hotel<br />

To some, the place you stay is more important than where you go.<br />

Budget and personal preference play a key role, but the goal is always<br />

<strong>com</strong>fort. Whether is be an extravagant luxury resort or a quaint bed<br />

and breakfast always make sure the establishment is right for you<br />

both. Popular romantic hotel services and features include candle lit<br />

dinners, couple’s spa, private fireplace, breakfast in bed, panoramic<br />

views and a private hot tub or pool.<br />

Don’t Plan Too Tight<br />

A tight schedule may be fine in a large organised group or for a<br />

budget traveller with limited time. However, for a couple going from<br />

place to place can be<strong>com</strong>e a chore and take away from the romance.<br />

Every now and then you just want to relax with your partner, and in<br />

some cases, this may well end up being the best time you have. A go<br />

with the flow attitude is best.


Dubrovnik | Croatia<br />

Dubrovnik, specifically the old<br />

town, is naturally romantic.<br />

Narrow cobbled streets, a bustling<br />

atmosphere and beautiful architecture<br />

make Dubrovnik an excellent choice<br />

for couples.<br />

We re<strong>com</strong>mend starting your trip with<br />

simple walk along the dreamy streets.<br />

A leisurely walk along the city walls is<br />

not be missed, especially at sunset.<br />

A more adventurous couple may<br />

decide to go kayaking. Kayaking trips<br />

to Lokrum are not too challenging<br />

and offer stunning views of the walled<br />

Old Town. Lokrum itself makes for a<br />

pleasant romantic day trip; t’s easy<br />

enough to reach by boat and provides<br />

the perfect spot for a delicious picnic.<br />

Dubrovnik is set at the foot of mount<br />

Srd and a ride on cable car to the<br />

top is an enjoyable way to spend an<br />

afternoon. You can expect gorgeous<br />

panoramic views of the city from the<br />

top, be sure to bring a bit of cash to<br />

have a couple of drinks.<br />

In terms of places to stay for<br />

couples we re<strong>com</strong>mend the Prijeko<br />

Palace, a boutique hotel located<br />

in the heart of the old town an old<br />

royal palace that has retained its<br />

charm and elegance. Those keen<br />

on a sea view rooms and a spa look<br />

no further than the Hilton Imperial<br />

Dubrovnik located just outside the<br />

old town. Romantic dinners <strong>com</strong>e in<br />

the way of Bar Bota, a quaint side<br />

street sport offering fresh oysters<br />

and Sushi.


Prijeko 22, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia Tel +385 20 321 145 <strong>www</strong>.prijekopalace.<strong>com</strong><br />

Prijeko Palace<br />

Croatia | Boutique Guest House<br />

Prijeko Palace is located right in the heart of Dubrovnik Old Town, a UNESCOprotected<br />

heritage site. One of Dubrovnik’s most iconic buildings, the<br />

15th Century Palace oozes the medieval feeling of the surrounding area.<br />

The Palace is a magical concoction of luxury and culture, <strong>com</strong>bined to offer<br />

guests an unforgettable staying experience. It offers 9 spectacular boutiquestyle<br />

rooms. Each room is named after a contemporary Artist and has been<br />

carefully designed to feature the Artist’s original work. They believe that Art<br />

has the potential to enhance one’s well being so when you choose to stay in<br />

one of their rooms, you also choose to enrich your life. It’s a radical act of selfkindness.<br />

All of their rooms are tastefully decorated<br />

and feature kitchenette, Nespresso<br />

coffee machines and all include hispeed<br />

WIFI connection<br />

Their restaurant Stara Loza has been<br />

featured in the Michelin Guide since 2017<br />

and offers 3 spectacular seating areas.<br />

Have your breakfast or nibble on snacks<br />

whilst admiring a blend of baroque<br />

and gothic architecture at our Prijeko<br />

Street Terrace. Walk up the original<br />

medieval stairway to Salon, where you<br />

can enjoy a delicious dinner and fine<br />

wines overlooking the city through the<br />

gothic floor-to-ceiling windows. Or for<br />

the ultimate romantic indulgence, opt<br />

for their Rooftop Terrace, where you<br />

can literally step back in time and dine<br />

under the starry sky amongst breathtaking<br />

medieval rooftops.<br />

Wine connoisseurs may venture down<br />

to the Cellar to browse through the wine<br />

selection and buy some to take home if<br />

they so wish.


Reykjavik | Iceland<br />

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is<br />

the perfect winter romantic break.<br />

Natural springs, northern lights, serene<br />

landscapes and a charming capital are all<br />

on offer for those looking for an original<br />

and exciting experience.<br />

The northern lights adventure tour is a<br />

must do. The northern lights, also known<br />

as the aurora borealis, is a wonderful and<br />

natural phenomenon that when seen in<br />

full glory is an experience bettered with<br />

that special someone. It’s best to hire an<br />

expert <strong>com</strong>pany to take you out as the<br />

lights aren’t always easily visible and may<br />

require a “hunt” to find them.<br />

After a night of hunting for the northern<br />

lights we re<strong>com</strong>mend hitting up the blue<br />

lagoon for a spot of relaxation. One of the<br />

most famous attractions in Iceland and a<br />

great couple experience. The hot springs<br />

will offer a perfect piece of paradise with<br />

your loved one.<br />

Vaktahouse, located in heart of the<br />

city, is the ideal cosy place to snuggle<br />

in for the night. Those looking for a<br />

more extravagant experience we<br />

re<strong>com</strong>mend the Reykjavik Konsulat<br />

Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton,<br />

a renovated department store,<br />

tastefully decorated with modern<br />

amenities.<br />

For dinner why not visit the Perlan<br />

Restaurant. Its unique location and<br />

revolving 360- degree floor will<br />

ensure you have an ever-changing<br />

backdrop of Reykjavik to go with your<br />

delicious meal.


Garðastræti 23, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland Tel + 354 899 2411 <strong>www</strong>.vaktahouse.is<br />

Vakta House<br />

Iceland<br />

Iceland | Historic Guest House<br />

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the ultimate Icelandic holiday, head<br />

straight to Vatkahouse. Located in the heart of Reykjavik, it’s a quaint 200-<br />

year old villa that has been converted into a self-serviced holiday home. It’s an<br />

excellent specimen of Icelandic architecture and offers a gateway into Reykjavik’s<br />

history. The best part is that Vatkahouse is just a short walk away from Reyjavik<br />

City Hall and Lake Tjórnin.<br />

The two-storied holiday home is surrounded by a picturesque garden and<br />

parking lot. The ground floor includes a spacious living room and a fully-equipped<br />

kitchen. It has a furnished patio and a seating area fitted with a modern TV. The<br />

first floor <strong>com</strong>prises a luxurious bedroom furnished with a king-size bed, a sofabed,<br />

and <strong>com</strong>fortable duvets.<br />

Guests are also provided with <strong>com</strong>plimentary WiFi and car rental services. You<br />

can also avail of free bicycles to explore the surroundings. Apart from the main<br />

tourist attractions, shopaholics can head to Laugavegur shopping street.


Rhodes | Greece<br />

This Greek island is the epitome<br />

of a traditional romantic holiday.<br />

Gorgeous sandy beaches, sunny<br />

weather, luxury hotels and charming<br />

small towns has made Rhodes a<br />

popular honeymooner destination.<br />

Rhodes is a large island that is just<br />

waiting to be explored. Rent a car with<br />

your special someone and make for the<br />

open road, together you will cross the<br />

coastline, pass mountain ranges, stop<br />

at quaint villages and gaze in wonder<br />

at historic sites. The only preparation<br />

we re<strong>com</strong>mend is to bring a picnic<br />

basket and drinks other than that just<br />

go with the flow.<br />

If road tripping is not your thing then<br />

why not get out on to the water. A<br />

private sailing trip on a sunny day with<br />

a sea breeze is a peaceful escape. A<br />

private sunset cruise is a truly special<br />

experience.<br />

A relaxed walk around Lindos, trying local<br />

snacks and gift shopping is the perfect way<br />

to spend an afternoon. The narrow streets of<br />

this small whitewashed mountainside village<br />

are best explored on a bright sunny day when<br />

the ascent to the top of the mountain is picture<br />

perfect.<br />

If you’re looking for a small, well run romantic hotel then look no further<br />

than the St. Artemios Boutique Hotel (profiled on the next page),<br />

excellently placed near local attractions and elegantly designed.<br />

Those looking for bit of indulgence won’t be disappointed; the Island<br />

is awash with luxury resorts. We re<strong>com</strong>mend the Aquagrand Luxury<br />

Resort and Spa. An adult only 5-star luxury coastal retreat that is<br />

geared towards the romantic holiday crowd.


Ergeiou 8 Medieval Town 85100,<br />

Rhodes Dodecanese Greece<br />

Tel +30 22410 35792<br />

<strong>www</strong>.startemiosrodos.gr<br />

St. Artemios Boutique<br />

Hotel by Artesa<br />

Greece | Hotel<br />

Saint Artemios is located right in the heart of the Medieval Town of Rhodes,<br />

a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by traditional coffee shops and<br />

local restaurants, it does not take long to be immersed in the familiar feeling of<br />

the Greek culture.<br />

The building has been carefully designed to preserve the distinctive medieval<br />

architecture of the area whilst at the same time meeting the demands of modern<br />

day aesthetics.<br />

They offer a selection of beautiful rooms. Choose one of their elegantly decorated<br />

en-suite double rooms, or opt for the Art Deco style rooms or one of the Oriental<br />

Suites, <strong>com</strong>bining a charming balance of style and simplicity. Each room is<br />

carefully equipped with unique-looking rustic pieces of furniture, adding extra<br />

character and appeal to your stay.<br />

All of their rooms are non-smoking<br />

rooms but fear not- there is a designated<br />

smoking area inside the property.<br />

Each room is well-equipped with all<br />

mod-cons, including air-condition, WIFI,<br />

Nespresso coffee machines, USB ports<br />

and free mineral water<br />

Rhodes is a magical place and there is<br />

no shortage of things to see and do.<br />

They can help you rent a car or scooter<br />

if you wish to explore the island on your<br />

own. They can also help you find the best<br />

tour operators and point you to the most<br />

exciting island hopping routes. You can<br />

find a selection of watersports at the<br />

nearest beach, which is only a short drive<br />

away. If you prefer to pamper yourself,<br />

there are many massage parlors and<br />

spas in the vicinity.


Vidago | Portugal<br />

The romance in Vidago lies not only<br />

within the town itself but the beauty<br />

and landscape of the surrounding area.<br />

Vidago is a small spa town known for the<br />

world famous Vidago palace hotel.<br />

Romantic holidays to the area are centred<br />

around the hotel which includes a luxury<br />

thermal spa, a golf course, restaurants,<br />

a wine cellar and a park. The property is<br />

tastefully designed and offers packages<br />

tailored towards those looking for a<br />

romantic break.<br />

A visit to the local wineries to learn about<br />

the history, production and a little tasting<br />

is a must do activity. The wine history of<br />

the region dates all the way back to the<br />

Roman empire, the land and climate are<br />

ideal for growing a large variety of wines.<br />

If you and your partner are more the<br />

adventurous type, then the areas<br />

surrounding Vidago are perfect for you.<br />

The picture-perfect landscape is suitable<br />

for hiking, mountain biking and horse<br />

riding. The nearby Pena Aventura park is a<br />

great way to spend the day.<br />

After a long day of<br />

adventure and wine tasting<br />

nothing beats a <strong>com</strong>fortable<br />

and homely retreat. This<br />

is available in the form of<br />

the Boutique Hotel Solar<br />

de Oura (profiled on the<br />

following page), a splendid<br />

18th century manor house.<br />

It’s rustic style and modern<br />

amenities will instantly put<br />

you at ease.


Rua do Olmo, nº37,<br />

5425-206 Oura - Vidago, Portugal<br />

Tel +351 276999070<br />

<strong>www</strong>.solardeoura.pt<br />

Solar De Oura<br />

Portugal | Unique Boutique Hotel<br />

Solar De Oura is a recently renovated country house in beautiful Oura, a<br />

traditional village in the Vidago area. The property has been beautifully<br />

restored, with careful attention to match the old with the new. The ground the<br />

hotel is built on once served as a courtyard where agricultural trade took place.<br />

It was also the stage for many village theatre shows, cultural soirées and film<br />

projections.<br />

This historic property also has a private chapel with gilded woodcarvings. The<br />

18th-century Chateaux is surrounded by natural beauty and a unique ambience<br />

that reflects the quaint atmosphere of Oura.<br />

A breakfast buffet is served daily with a<br />

delicious choice of locally sourced and<br />

homemade products. Guests can enjoy<br />

regional cuisine upon request and there<br />

are also BBQ facilities.<br />

The rooms feature natural elements<br />

<strong>com</strong>bined with a contemporary design<br />

that mixes rustic stone walls, minimalist<br />

decor and linen bedding. All rooms <strong>com</strong>e<br />

with a private, ensuite bathroom. Rooms<br />

are immaculately clean with all modern<br />

amenities. There is absolute silence at<br />

night in the surrounding area, making this<br />

the perfect getaway for travellers who<br />

wish to unwind and recharge in a tranquil<br />

setting.<br />

With two golf courses in the vicinity,<br />

hotel staff can arrange for guests to visit<br />

and practice their skills. Other activities<br />

include cycling and exploring the natural<br />

surroundings. The natural spa in Vindago<br />

is only 1 km away and there are public<br />

swimming pools close-by.


Vorarlberg | Austria<br />

Majestic views of the alpine<br />

landscape, beautiful mountain<br />

passes, adventure activities and<br />

cosy modern style hotels. A romantic<br />

holiday awaits you in the mountainous<br />

state of Vorarlberg in western Austria.<br />

Shared experiences are special, none<br />

more so than you and your loved one<br />

spending a night in a Bivouac in the<br />

mountains. The bivouac perched at<br />

the peak of Steirlochkopf will leave you<br />

speechless and with a memory to last<br />

a lifetime. The lack of electricity and<br />

quality sanitary facilities is worth it just<br />

for the panoramic view.<br />

A couple’s trip to Vorarlberg would<br />

not be <strong>com</strong>plete without a hike,<br />

and nothing beats a hike in the<br />

Bregenzerwald region. The area is<br />

awash with lovely picture-perfect<br />

towns nestled in mountains and<br />

valleys. The Umgang Bregenzerwald is<br />

a series of self-guided walks that will<br />

take you through 12 villages in up to 4<br />

hours. Best <strong>com</strong>pleted in the summer.<br />

Ac<strong>com</strong>modation in the region doesn’t <strong>com</strong>e much better than Pure Resort Warth, a slick contemporary resort that<br />

features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, bar and garden. Privately owned luxury chalets are available to rent and<br />

bring that added romance through stunning mountain views and warm fireplaces.


Warth 84, 6767 Warth am Arlberg,<br />

Oostenrijk Austria<br />

Tel + 43 558 338 666<br />

<strong>www</strong>.pure-warth.<strong>com</strong><br />

Pure Resort Warth<br />

Austria | Luxury Hotel<br />

Located in Warth am Arlberg and in close proximity to the ski lifts,<br />

Pure Resort is the passionate project of Paul and Mirjam, who take great<br />

pleasure in attending to the wellbeing of their guests. With plenty of experience<br />

in the hospitality industry, they have turned their passion into a successful<br />

business.<br />

The hotel offers 33 super stylish and <strong>com</strong>fortable apartments and penthouses.<br />

The elegant rooms are wonderfully designed and beautifully decorated, giving<br />

out a warm and friendly vibe. Each room is fitted with all mod-cons including a<br />

kitchenette, cable TV and free toiletries. Breakfast is offered daily for guests to<br />

enjoy.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>plex is surrounded by the scenic<br />

mountain peaks and is an ideal base<br />

for a range of activities. In the winter,<br />

this is the perfect retreat for skiing<br />

enthusiasts. The place is situated right<br />

next to the notorius ski slopes of the area<br />

with nearby skiing and snowboarding<br />

schools for booking lessons and hiring<br />

equipment.<br />

The infinity pool boasts majestic views<br />

of the nearby mountains and there is a<br />

luxurious SPA that guests have access<br />

to for massages and treatments after<br />

a long day of activities. The traditional<br />

Austrian restaurant with its quirky décor<br />

offers fantastic choices for a spot of<br />

lunch or dinner. Guests can also lounge<br />

about by the bar for some well-deserved<br />

cocktails at the end of an active day.<br />

In the spring, the area turns into a<br />

hiker’s paradise, with many different<br />

routes taking guests through fragrant<br />

meadows, gurgling streams and<br />

unforgettable natural beauty all around.


A Villa Holiday<br />

<br />

Villa Valeria by Maison d’Lux


Booking a<br />

Villa Holiday<br />

Villa Holidays have grown in popularity,<br />

what initially started off as a trend has now<br />

cemented itself into an increasingly popular<br />

choice of ac<strong>com</strong>modation. Nowadays travellers<br />

want the freedom and privacy of their own wholly<br />

rented ac<strong>com</strong>modation. This is evident in the<br />

rise and dominance of Airbnb and other such<br />

services. Privately rented villas are a great option<br />

especially for groups and larger families that might<br />

find themselves boxed in at hotels or too big to<br />

squeeze into an apartment.<br />

Key features of private villas include swimming<br />

pools, hot tubs, private dining areas, outdoor<br />

spaces, kitchens, lounge area, private parking and<br />

a gym. Not all of these will be on offer, but most<br />

are likely to be covered.<br />

Many Villa owners and managers also provide<br />

extra’s such daily cleaning services, activities,<br />

groceries, transfers, private chefs and in some<br />

cases will help to organise small gatherings.<br />

There are a few key points to consider when<br />

booking a villa such as online bookings, location<br />

and seasonal service.<br />

Online Booking & Reservation<br />

The most important <strong>com</strong>ponent<br />

to consider when booking a<br />

villa. We re<strong>com</strong>mend going<br />

with reputable and well-known<br />

booking sites such as booking.<br />

<strong>com</strong> and jamesvillas.co.uk,<br />

<strong>com</strong>panies such as these take<br />

care of the whole booking and<br />

have been in contact with<br />

owners to validate the property.<br />

At times costs may be higher<br />

however it does mean an<br />

increase in security and safety<br />

when booking. Reviews on these<br />

sites are reliable and <strong>com</strong>panies<br />

may inspect the property first<br />

before adding it to their listing.<br />

Booking sites are great sources<br />

to find out about extra services a<br />

villa manager can provide, some<br />

popular requests are a daily maid<br />

service, tours.<br />

Location<br />

Often overlooked, you may find a nice<br />

villa with great facilities at a bargain<br />

price, but the trade-off could be a<br />

remote or difficult to reach location.<br />

Always double check where the<br />

property is located before booking as<br />

you may need to organise personal<br />

transport to the property and for the<br />

duration of the stay.<br />

Seasonal Service<br />

<strong>Travel</strong>ling outside of the high season<br />

is a good idea, flights are generally<br />

cheaper, destinations less crowded<br />

and there are better ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />

deals. The better price deals may<br />

<strong>com</strong>e with a <strong>com</strong>promise. In many<br />

cases this means certain facilities<br />

aren’t available mainly to cut costs<br />

due to less bookings. Always check if<br />

swimming pools, outdoor areas and<br />

amenities are still on offer, otherwise<br />

you may be in for a nasty shock.


Algarve, Portugal Tel +351 968984269 <strong>www</strong>.shantivillas-algarve.<strong>com</strong><br />

Shantivillas,<br />

Casa do Alemão<br />

Portugal | Luxury Villas<br />

The Shanti Villas project offers a series of holiday houses in the beautiful city<br />

of Algarve. With so much variety on offer, Shanti Villas can cater to everyone’s<br />

needs no matter how demanding. There is a huge selection of different<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modation styles to choose from all with modern and innovative designs.<br />

Their villas are built in enviable locations, often overlooking the picturesque<br />

countryside covered with olive groves and pine tree forests. Their Sky series<br />

offers a fantastic space that <strong>com</strong>bines traditional style with allof the necessary<br />

modern <strong>com</strong>forts. Its location on top of a hillside makes for a very private<br />

experience.<br />

With its Mediterranean trademark look, Casa do Doutor resembles a magnificent<br />

mansion and it’s large enough to fit 10 people. This villa is tastefully designed and<br />

has spectacular views of the distant ocean.<br />

Casa da Palmeira is located on an<br />

elevated position and therefore affords<br />

amazing views of the nearby mountains,<br />

while Casa do Ingles maintains a warm<br />

and wel<strong>com</strong>ing country house style.<br />

Casa do Alemao is their huge luxury<br />

5-bedroom villa built on top of Malhão<br />

Hill where guests can enjoy far-reaching<br />

views into the city and the seaside.<br />

All of their ac<strong>com</strong>modation <strong>com</strong>es<br />

with the necessary modern amenities,<br />

including laundry with washing machine<br />

and dryers as well as daily cleaning<br />

services and regular towel changes.<br />

Their villas are all within easy reach of the<br />

coastal areas of Vilamoura and Albufeira.<br />

Guests love to explore the traditional<br />

charming villages in the vicinity.<br />

Casa Da Musica is a high quality,<br />

stunning-looking 7 bedroom villa<br />

situated on beautifully landscaped<br />

gardens overlooking the countryside,<br />

featuring a heated main pool, table<br />

tennis and two wonderful and spacious<br />

living-room areas.


Agidia, Naxos Island, Greece Tel +30 22850 26661 <strong>www</strong>.aeolosvillas.gr<br />

Aeolos Luxury<br />

Villas & Suites<br />

Greece | Stylish Villas<br />

The small island of Naxos is breathtakingly beautiful and it is not surprising<br />

it has the reputation of being ‘paradise on earth’. Inspired by this timeless<br />

analogy, Aeolos Luxury Villas offer a small slice of heaven situated on top of a<br />

hillside in the scenic village of Agidia, just 5 minutes away from the main town<br />

of Naxos.<br />

This intimate <strong>com</strong>plex <strong>com</strong>prises of only two large villas and a suite, elegantly<br />

designed in traditional Cycladic minimalist style. Beautifully landscaped to<br />

include a manicured garden and serene pond, the estate extends out to a wellmaintained<br />

vineyard and garden, both of which the guests are free to explore.<br />

At Aeolos, they carefully harness the island’s natural resources and take pride<br />

in the use of photovoltaic panels and solar heaters to ensure that they provide a<br />

service that works in symbiosis with the beautiful surroundings.<br />

The villas offer stunning, panoramic<br />

views of the surrounding countryside<br />

and the shimmering Aegean Sea. Both<br />

Erato and Clio boast an airy and spacious<br />

interior, cascading over two levels. Both<br />

villas can ac<strong>com</strong>modate up to 7 people<br />

and feature 2 large bedrooms on the<br />

top floor. The master bedrooms include<br />

large double beds, modern bathrooms<br />

and balconies offering exquisite views of<br />

Naxos towns<br />

The grand suite Thalia is a smaller, more<br />

intimate space that can host up to 4<br />

people in a unified, open-plan space<br />

featuring a bedroom, living room and<br />

kitchen. All of the villas include state-ofthe-art,<br />

outside jacuzzies.<br />

There is a range of optional extras upon<br />

request. Be prepared for an unforgettable<br />

stay in one of the most magical places<br />

on earth.


Luxury Villas<br />

Luxury Villas are a cut above the<br />

standard in terms of services<br />

on offer and how they operate. The<br />

properties and their providers will go<br />

beyond normal expectations in terms<br />

of services, décor and privacy to offer<br />

a high life experience.<br />

Luxury villas can be characterised by a<br />

set of criteria which we have outlined.<br />

Style and Design<br />

Whether it be contemporary<br />

minimalism or traditional elegance,<br />

luxury villas are <strong>com</strong>monly defined by<br />

its style. A luxury villa needs to offer<br />

more than just your basic property<br />

with all the usual furnishings. Careful<br />

planning and panache for the end user<br />

experience must be on display in the<br />

décor, lighting, artwork, exterior and<br />

use of open space.<br />

Location<br />

This one may be tricky as it falls<br />

into two parts that may not always<br />

<strong>com</strong>plement each other. The first<br />

is the destination, whether it be a<br />

beautiful countryside landscape<br />

or stunning sea views, selecting<br />

the perfect place is key. Second<br />

is privacy, a luxury villa is nothing<br />

without seclusion and discretion. The<br />

two <strong>com</strong>bined present the perfect<br />

location but this may not always be<br />

a possibility.<br />

Technology<br />

Luxury <strong>com</strong>es with a feeling<br />

of safety and freedom.<br />

State of the art appliances<br />

and security systems are a<br />

must. High tech TV’s, sound<br />

systems, kitchen appliances<br />

and security are probably the<br />

most understated features of<br />

a luxury villa.


Outdoor Spaces<br />

A stylistic and state of the art indoor should always be matched with the same<br />

outdoors. A luxury villa must flow effortlessly between indoors and outdoors<br />

especially given the recent rise in popularity of outdoor living spaces.<br />

Staff<br />

Fully staffed villas are far above the ordinary. Cooks, cleaners, a concierge, butlers,<br />

drivers and security personnel may seem like an extravagance but for some this<br />

presents the norm. These roles are expected to be fulfilled by either the owners<br />

beforehand or through a guest’s own team.<br />

Bedrooms<br />

A luxury villas peaceful sanctuary. Needs to be spacious, well-lit and homely.<br />

Soft pillows and a high-quality linen are a must along with an en-suite.


Avinguda des Cap Martinet,<br />

07819 Cap Martinet, Illes Balears, Spain<br />

Tel N/A<br />

<strong>www</strong>.villavaleria.es<br />

Villa Valeria by<br />

Maison d’Lux<br />

Spain | Villas<br />

Villa Valeria is situated in Cap Martinet, one of Ibiza’s most exclusive locations<br />

and famous for its array of lavish villas owned and frequented by many<br />

celebrities. Perfectly located in this stylish neighbourhood and only minutes<br />

away from the city and all the hot spots of the island, this slice of Heaven is the<br />

personification of luxurious living.<br />

The Villa offers 6 spectacular suites all featuring state of the art architecture.<br />

The interior cascades across 3 levels, each with stunning designs and the finest<br />

touches in interior decoration. On the top floor, the master bedroom boasts<br />

palace-like marble flooring and houses a natural stone bathtub.<br />

On the ground floor, a super spacious open plan dining area with floor to ceiling<br />

windows pours out onto the terrace. Sip your morning coffee while you take in<br />

the magnificent views of the Old Town.<br />

Relaxation is too easy to achieve at<br />

Valeria. Sunbathe or swim in the infinity<br />

pool. Plunge yourself in the Jacuzzi<br />

sipping a cocktail at sunset with some<br />

chilled music in the background. Or go<br />

for a mindful walk around the grounds<br />

and listen to the soothing sounds of<br />

nature before deciding to head off into<br />

town.<br />

If you are in a party mood, head down to<br />

the lower ground floor to enter your very<br />

own soundproofed clubroom, <strong>com</strong>plete<br />

with a bar and full DJ equipment and an<br />

excellent sound system.<br />

There is an extensive concierge service<br />

available around the clock to cater to<br />

your every need. From airport transfers<br />

and restaurant reservations to boat<br />

hiring and spa and beauty treatments.


Ionian Islands, Zakynthos, Greece Tel + 30 6978770759 <strong>www</strong>.aurora-villa.<strong>com</strong><br />

The Aurora Villa<br />

Greece | Luxury Villa<br />

The main focus of its architecture is the<br />

interaction between the interior and exterior<br />

space through large openings in all the rooms.<br />

• Endless sea view from each room<br />

• Blend between exterior and interior space<br />

• Clear lines and surfaces<br />

• Luxurious and spacious<br />

This extraordinary estate is nested on the east sloping mountain of Volimes<br />

overlooking the sea and the small port of Agios Nikolaos, in Zakynthos<br />

(Greece). It is an area rich in untouched beaches and stunning nature. Benefiting<br />

from mild winters and warm summers, bathed by the sun and cooled down by<br />

gentle sea breezes.<br />

Villa Aurora consists of a dynamic blend between the natural rocky surroundings<br />

and the endless view of the Mediterranean Sea.<br />

• Bedrooms: 4 Master bedrooms + 1 insuite<br />

bedroom for stuff<br />

• Pool: 74 m2 + open Jacuzzi<br />

• Bathrooms: 5


Unique Villas<br />

Windmill Villas | Greece<br />

Exciting windmill shaped private villas<br />

Birkedal | Denmark<br />

Cylindrical Masterpieces<br />

Villa Cora | Italy<br />

Antiquated Elegance<br />

https://<strong>www</strong>.windmill.gr/<br />

https://<strong>www</strong>.urlaubsarchitektur.de/en/birkedal/<br />

http://<strong>www</strong>.villacora.it/en<br />

Recently there has been a trend in travel for staying in the weird and<br />

wonderful. Villas are no exception and the search for increasingly<br />

unique properties is at an all-time high and we’ve <strong>com</strong>piled a list of<br />

some of our favourites in <strong>Europe</strong>.


Santorini, Greece Tel +30 22860 25207 <strong>www</strong>.windmill.gr<br />

Windmill Villas<br />

Greece | Unique Villas<br />

Windmill Villas offer guests the opportunity to experience life in a traditional<br />

Windmill designed in true Cycladic style. The <strong>com</strong>plex features three<br />

Windmill Villas, each functioning as an independent oasis, with its own swimming<br />

pool, Jacuzzi and terrace as well as a private entrance and parking space.<br />

The Windmills cascade over three floors. The top floor and first floor have<br />

beautiful bedrooms with <strong>com</strong>fortable double beds and en suite bathrooms. The<br />

ground floor offers panoramic views of the vineyard and direct access to the<br />

swimming pool and consists of a living area and a fully–equipped kitchen. Two<br />

Villas ac<strong>com</strong>modate up to 5 people and is an ideal romantic getaway or a perfect<br />

family sanctuary. The third villa has max occupancy 6 guests.<br />

The Villas’ perfect location affords grand<br />

views of the magnificent sunrise rays<br />

glimmering over the Aegean Sea. Built<br />

on the Northeast coast of the island,<br />

this is one of the most tranquil areas<br />

of Santorini, far from the maddening<br />

crowds of the capital Fira.<br />

Help is provided to guests to book<br />

private catamaran tours of some of the<br />

island’s most famous hotspots, including<br />

the caldera, the volcano and hot springs.<br />

This is also a great way to discover some<br />

of Santorini’s most pristine beaches,<br />

otherwise not easily accessible.<br />

If you wish to take relaxation to the next<br />

level, they offer a range of massage<br />

treatments; massage rejuvenation<br />

therapies and beauty facials all<br />

performed with carefully selected quality<br />

products. With the cool ocean breeze<br />

caressing your skin, you are literally in<br />

Aegean Paradise.


A Villa Hotel<br />

A<br />

villa hotel can be broken down into two<br />

distinct groups. The first is a former villa or<br />

private residence converted to a boutique hotel<br />

and the second is a hotel style establishment<br />

that offers private villas as ac<strong>com</strong>modation in<br />

place or as an alternative to traditional rooms.<br />

Villa Converted to Hotel<br />

Properties such as this offer a fantastic<br />

opportunity to experience the personality<br />

and theme of a private villa without the high<br />

prices. Converted villas usually retain the<br />

character and charm the building once had<br />

and experiences like this are not be missed.<br />

Great examples of villa conversions include<br />

vineyards, small palaces, historic stately<br />

residences and museums. These places tend<br />

to have a small number of rooms and can offer<br />

a better staff to guest ratio leading to a more<br />

personalised experience. Facilities such as<br />

pools, gyms and lounge areas are all normally<br />

still available.<br />

Hotels with Villas<br />

A very popular option and<br />

by far the best solution for<br />

those looking for a hotel style<br />

service with the experience,<br />

privacy and personal space<br />

of a villa. These types of<br />

Villas are usually found<br />

as part of resorts and<br />

make up the high-end<br />

slot of ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />

options. They’re normally<br />

2 bedroomed, <strong>com</strong>e with<br />

swimming pool, outdoor<br />

living space and top of the<br />

range amenities. In some<br />

cases, a private butler or<br />

concierge may be assigned<br />

to the villa. This concept<br />

has been taken further<br />

with recent advent of water<br />

villas, underwater Villas<br />

and floating villas to give<br />

visitors the ultimate luxury<br />

experience.


Bulgaria, Pazardzhik, Velingrad,<br />

Kamenica, bul Vela Peeva 12, 4600<br />

Tel +359 88 889 9492<br />

<strong>www</strong>.villa-vuchev.<strong>com</strong><br />

Villa Vuchev<br />

Bulgaria | Villa<br />

Wel<strong>com</strong>e to Villa Vuchev<br />

A luxury villa in the Western Rhodopes<br />

Villa Vuchev is an elegant villa with its own style that exudes <strong>com</strong>fort with its<br />

tastefully furnished <strong>com</strong>fortable rooms in Velingrad, Bulgaria . This luxury villa is<br />

located in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains, 700 meters above sea level in one<br />

of the best holiday destinations in <strong>Europe</strong> – the spa capital of the Balkans.<br />

You will be greeted with a beautifully landscaped courtyard with heated mineral<br />

pool and barbecue, relax center with sauna and jacuzzi and dining room with a<br />

selection of wines to enjoy an unforgettable holiday.<br />

Villa Vuchev is one of the most beautiful<br />

places in Bulgaria - city Velingrad. It is<br />

located in Chepino valley in the Western<br />

Rhodopes.<br />

Water resources in the region of Velingrad<br />

– rivers, carst and springs – is abundant.<br />

Velingrad are concentrated among<br />

the richest in Bulgaria hydrothermal<br />

deposits. Spas (80 in total), the mild<br />

climate and beautiful nature are the<br />

greatest wealth of the city. Velingrad is<br />

one of the largest spa resort in Bulgaria<br />

and is known as “The spa capital of the<br />

Balkans”.


UMI Hotel<br />

Best Boutique<br />

Hotels of <strong>Europe</strong>


The exact definition of a boutique<br />

hotel is something of a mystery.<br />

Although these types of hotel are<br />

generally seen as smaller with an<br />

intimate atmosphere and unique style,<br />

there is currently no strict industry<br />

definition as to what makes a hotel<br />

boutique.<br />

Here are four <strong>com</strong>mon criteria found in<br />

boutique hotels and we’ve picked our<br />

best five from the continent.<br />

Size<br />

The most <strong>com</strong>mon characteristic<br />

associated with boutique hotels is their<br />

small size. Indeed, the word boutique<br />

was originally used to describe a small<br />

shop or any establishment that is<br />

small and sophisticated. One would<br />

assume this applies to the hotels.<br />

Typically, boutique hotels should<br />

never have over 100 rooms and most<br />

keep the number below 50. Most offer<br />

a <strong>com</strong>munal space where guests can<br />

relax and interact.<br />

Individuality<br />

A distinctive and individual<br />

atmosphere is vital to any hotel<br />

being labelled boutique. Operating<br />

independent of any major chain is<br />

ideal but there are many boutique<br />

brands owned by larger hotel groups.<br />

The character of such properties is<br />

another aspect of the individuality.<br />

Boutique hotels are in part fun, off<br />

beat, stylistic and different from the<br />

rest. Not just in design but services<br />

and staff approach.<br />

Design<br />

The architecture and interior design<br />

of a boutique hotel is usually unique,<br />

always upscale, sophisticated<br />

and often <strong>com</strong>bining classic<br />

elegance with chic. Guestrooms are<br />

individually decorated and use high<br />

quality amenities, décor and linen.<br />

Services<br />

The hallmark of all boutique hotels is<br />

the highly personalised service. The<br />

staff to guest ratio works to enhance<br />

this and guests are made to feel<br />

like friends. Luxury amenities, high<br />

quality appliances and individualised<br />

experience are all to be expected.<br />

Restaurants and bars within boutique<br />

hotels tend to be hip, trendy and<br />

individualistic as hotel themselves.<br />

Local sources and authentic cuisines<br />

mean these are as popular with<br />

locals as they are guests.


Milserstraße 274,<br />

A-6100 Seefeld in Tirol, Oostenrijk Austria<br />

Tel +43 5212 2557<br />

<strong>www</strong>.princessbergfrieden.<strong>com</strong><br />

Westlodge Hotel<br />

Princess Bergfrieden<br />

Austria | Boutique Hotel<br />

Bergfrieden Hotel is located in the Alpine town of Seefeld in the Austrian<br />

state of Tyrol. A serial winner of multiple <strong>Awards</strong> by the likes of TripAdvisor<br />

and many other booking platforms, it is easy to see why this is a popular choice<br />

for travellers. The <strong>com</strong>plex offers a rich variety of apartments, suites and rooms.<br />

With an exceptional design that <strong>com</strong>bines traditional Tyrolean style with modern<br />

interior design, this family-run boutique resort is perfect for both rest-seekers<br />

and adventure-goers alike.<br />

The estate is located only a few minutes’ walk from the beautiful town and<br />

very near the train station, your gateway to Innsbruck. The main ski resort is<br />

only a 15-minute walk away. Bergfrieden hotel <strong>com</strong>es <strong>com</strong>plete with a heated<br />

swimming pool, a SPA with a sauna and steam room and a small gym with stateof-the-art<br />

cross-training equipment. There is a shared <strong>com</strong>mon area with a<br />

fireplace and a bar offering drinks and snacks.<br />

Their luxury apartments have recently<br />

been refurbished and offer spectacular<br />

views of the nearby mountains.<br />

You can expect to find <strong>com</strong>fortable<br />

bedrooms, a bathroom with bathtub<br />

and shower, a kitchen with a dining<br />

room and a sitting area. They also offer<br />

larger, three-bedroom apartments<br />

suitable for larger parties and families.<br />

Their superior rooms and suites offer<br />

inexpensive ac<strong>com</strong>modation for the<br />

budget-conscious travellers without<br />

<strong>com</strong>promising on quality.<br />

Guests are treated to a delicious breakfast<br />

with a variety of choices including egg<br />

and bacon, ham and cheese. There are<br />

plenty of activities to choose from in<br />

the vicinity and your hosts are happy to<br />

point to the right direction.


Ul. Dragana Ristica b.b., Gracanica,<br />

Pristina, Kosovo<br />

Tel +383 38 729 888<br />

<strong>www</strong>.hotelgracanica.<strong>com</strong><br />

Hotel Graçˇanica<br />

Kosovo | Boutique Hotel<br />

Hotel Gracanica, described by the New York Times as “Kosovo’s first and only<br />

boutique hotel”, is an eco-friendly, multi-ethnic design hotel under Swiss<br />

management in a peaceful countryside setting on the outskirts of Pristina. The<br />

monastery of Gračanica (UNESCO world cultural heritage) and the archaeological<br />

site Ulpiana are a short walk away. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool,<br />

a garden with a view over fields and hills and a restaurant offering local homecooking<br />

including a choice of vegetarian dishes. It is ideally located to explore<br />

Kosovo, with all major towns reachable in max. 1 1/2 hours.<br />

The five single, seven double rooms,<br />

two studios and one family room are<br />

equipped with solid wood furniture,<br />

private bathroom, central heating &<br />

air condition, refrigerator, flat screen<br />

TV, desk, safe deposit box, hair-dryer<br />

and a tea and coffee making facility. All<br />

superior and most standard rooms have<br />

a balcony or patio.


Ostra Eskilsbyvagen 246,<br />

43893 Landvetter, Gothenburg, Sweden<br />

Tel +46793364828<br />

<strong>www</strong>.evika.se<br />

Évika Boutique Hotel<br />

Sweden | Boutique Hotel<br />

Évika boutique hotel consists of four wooden cottages all built by the shore of<br />

a pristine lake. Unspoiled Swedish woodlands form the dramatic backdrop<br />

of this beautiful sanctuary, located only 16 km from the Gothenburg-Landvetter<br />

airport. You will be personally wel<strong>com</strong>ed by the Mario the owner who lives in the<br />

main house on the property.<br />

The wooden cottages offer <strong>com</strong>fortable living arrangements and are all equipped<br />

with private walk-in showers with a kitchenette, satellite TV and superfast WIFI.<br />

The rooms are neatly furnished, beds are extremely <strong>com</strong>fortable with clean,<br />

fresh linen. An optional breakfast spread is also available on request. Guests<br />

can enjoy stunning views of the serene lake from their cabins. This is the perfect<br />

romantic hideaway. Cuddle up in the cabin or have an evening drink in the<br />

garden, admiring the starry sky.<br />

The peaceful surroundings make this a<br />

tranquil retreat. The magical woodland<br />

is reminiscent of fairy tales. For guests<br />

fond of walking, this place does not<br />

disappoint. With some luck you may spot<br />

a deer or a moose. The lake lends itself for<br />

swimming, fishing, kayaking or exploring<br />

silently in an electrically powered boat.<br />

You can also book private sessions in the<br />

sauna on the jetty, alternatively admiring<br />

the panorama from the jacuzzi on the<br />

terrace.<br />

The area is a paradise for outdoor<br />

enthusiasts.<br />

Whatever the choice, Évika promises<br />

tranquility of body and mind. Listen<br />

to the sounds of nature and allow this<br />

magical place to show you the stillness<br />

within.


Salacgriva district Liepupe parish,<br />

Liepupe, Latvia<br />

Tel +371 27 802 801<br />

<strong>www</strong>.liepupesmuiza.lv<br />

Liepupes Muiža<br />

Latvia | Boutique Hotel<br />

Set in a beautiful, 18th-century manor <strong>com</strong>plex and surrounded by lush<br />

greenery and a lake, Liepupes Muiža is a small paradise consisting of 2<br />

separate buildings: the Liepupe Manor and the Stewards House. This is a magical<br />

place where time stops and you can properly relax without a care in the world.<br />

Having survived a war almost untouched, the Manor’s Bohemian features<br />

remain well-preserved. The Manor offers ten double rooms: standard, superior,<br />

and deluxe. There is a wood fireplace or hearth in every suite, with baskets that<br />

are refilled daily. The Suites have ceilings decorated in ornate restored moulds<br />

and they provide an exceptional view of the parks and surrounding area. The<br />

Stewards House consists of lavish rooms, apartments and a suite. The latter<br />

<strong>com</strong>es with a terrace with a fantastic view and outdoor jacuzzi.<br />

Each room is equipped with an audio<br />

system, as well as fast WI-FI, free drinking<br />

water, large-size robes and slippers and<br />

exclusive body care products Elier from<br />

the local manufacturers. An amazing<br />

breakfast spread is included in the room<br />

price.<br />

Their exclusive SPA offers a large selection<br />

of unique treatments with locally sourced<br />

organic ingredients mixed by our expert<br />

therapists right before each treatment.<br />

The hotel has function rooms for hire and<br />

is a popular choice for weddings, largely<br />

due to the ample, flush lawn, making<br />

outdoor wedding ceremonies a dream<br />

<strong>com</strong>e true. They also host workshops and<br />

seminars and provide high-end audiovisual<br />

equipment as well as a tailor-made<br />

catering service and ample parking.


Leirnavegur243|861Hvolsvöllur, Iceland Tel +354 518 4001 <strong>www</strong>.hotelumi.is<br />

UMI Hotel<br />

Iceland | Boutique Hotel<br />

Imagine waking up to the view of Iceland’s gorgeous Southern Coastline. Then you get<br />

to enjoy fine dining while overlooking the spectacular Eyjafjallajökull and its surrounding<br />

mountain range. That’s UMI Hotel for you.<br />

Nestled at the foothills of the famous Eyjafjallajökull in Southern Iceland, UMI Hotel can take<br />

your Icelandic experience to another level. It <strong>com</strong>prises 28 luxurious double and twin sharing<br />

rooms equipped with all modern amenities.<br />

A flat-screen TV, electric kettle, and free WiFi are provided in every room. Each room also<br />

features a private bathroom. Complimentary bathrobes and toiletries are provided for all<br />

guests. Additionally, a <strong>com</strong>fortable seating area is provided in certain rooms.<br />

Recreational opportunities include a lounge bar located near the reception. You can sip on<br />

your favorite drink while feasting on mesmerizing views of the volcano. The property also has<br />

an on-site restaurant with an enchanting view of the Westman Islands. You can try various<br />

local and exquisite delicacies prepared with fresh ingredients.


A Little Adventure,<br />

Goes a Long Way<br />

<br />

To most people, a holiday represents<br />

long awaited lazy days on the beach,<br />

an opportunity to relax and enjoy a few<br />

drinks, maybe throw in a bit of sightseeing.<br />

To others a holiday is the perfect place<br />

for a bit of adventure, to get out of your<br />

<strong>com</strong>fort zone, learn something new, get a<br />

sense of ac<strong>com</strong>plishment and takeaway<br />

a skill that can be honed on future trips.<br />

The two can be <strong>com</strong>bined with many<br />

holidaymakers putting a day of their<br />

relaxing break aside to enjoy some<br />

adventurous pursuits. Popular options<br />

include water sports, diving, rock climbing<br />

and cave diving.<br />

An adventure activity can even be<br />

<strong>com</strong>bined with sightseeing and in many<br />

cases while partaking in such an activity<br />

you may get a <strong>com</strong>pletely different<br />

perspective on your destination. For<br />

example, stand up paddle boarding<br />

through Amsterdam’s famous canals<br />

offer a unique way to get around the city<br />

and enjoy off the beaten path sites.<br />

Doing an adventure activity can have an added health benefit. Diets and<br />

health regiments tend to go out the window during holidays. Remaining<br />

active regularly can be a way of staving off any weight gain.<br />

In this chapter we re<strong>com</strong>mend our favourite adventure activities to be<br />

enjoyed on holiday.


Snow Sports<br />

Downhill Skiing<br />

The pastime of sliding down snow covered<br />

or artificial slopes on skis with fixed heel<br />

bindings. Typically, downhill skiing is<br />

practiced at ski resorts, which provide<br />

lifts, courses, lessons and safety staff.<br />

It’s re<strong>com</strong>mended that you go on a few<br />

beginner courses if it’s your first time.<br />

Downhill skiing along with snowboarding<br />

are the two most <strong>com</strong>mon types of snow<br />

sports and with advent of low-cost airlines<br />

access to resorts has never been easier.<br />

Snowboarding<br />

An activity that involves descending a snow<br />

covered or artificial slope while standing with<br />

both feet bound onto a snowboard. While harder<br />

to learn than skiing, snowboarding does have<br />

its advantages. Snowboarding boots are more<br />

<strong>com</strong>fortable, it’s easier on your knees, easier to<br />

sit down and there is no need for poles.<br />

Popular ski and snowboarding resorts include<br />

Chamonix in France, Avoriaz in France, Zermatt<br />

in Switzerland, Gudauri in Georgia, Val Gardena<br />

in Italy and Lech in Austria.<br />

Popular ski and<br />

snowboarding resorts<br />

include Chamonix<br />

in France, Avoriaz in<br />

France, Zermatt in<br />

Switzerland, Gudauri in<br />

Georgia, Val Gardena in<br />

Italy and Lech in Austria.<br />

Cross Country Skiing<br />

A form of skiing where<br />

skiers rely on their own<br />

force to move across<br />

snow covered terrain. A<br />

straightforward and easy<br />

activity that anyone can<br />

take up; cross country<br />

skiing is a great way to<br />

see a place and is still<br />

used today as a means of<br />

transportation.<br />

Awesome places to cross<br />

country ski are Seefeld in<br />

Austria, Lillehammer in<br />

Norway and St Moritz in<br />

Switzerland.


Metzggasse 9 (church square),<br />

3920 Zermatt, Switzerland<br />

Tel +41 79 136 05 54<br />

<strong>www</strong>.alpine-ski-school.<strong>com</strong><br />

Alpine Ski School<br />

Switzerland | Learning Experience<br />

The Alpine Ski School in Zermatt is an exceptional <strong>com</strong>pany of highly<br />

experienced instructors ready to meet all your skiing and snowboarding<br />

needs. Their staff are very knowledgeable and <strong>com</strong>petent and are well-known for<br />

their professional attitude on and off-piste. Their highly passionate instructors<br />

hail from a range of backgrounds and lessons can be delivered in many different<br />

languages including English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and<br />

Russian.<br />

They cater for all levels of skiing experience. Whether you are a <strong>com</strong>plete beginner<br />

and apprehensive about starting, an intermediate skier or very well-versed in the<br />

art of snowboarding, you will leave their school with extra skills and knowledge<br />

and a big smile on your face.<br />

They have a flexible approach to teaching<br />

and lessons can be customised to suit<br />

your every need. They take into account<br />

specific requests and will endeavour to<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modate them to the best of our<br />

ability. You can opt for private lessons for<br />

your group or choose our ski safaris, full<br />

days of guided tours alongside some of<br />

the greatest fine-powdered.<br />

slopes in the area. They can also arrange<br />

private helicopter tours and of course<br />

guide you to some of the most pristine<br />

off-piste areas, away from the busy<br />

slopes.<br />

Zermatt is a picturesque mountain<br />

resort in Southern Switzerland, famous<br />

for skiing and mountaineering. It is the<br />

highest ski area in the Alps with a total<br />

of 360 km of pistes. A portion of the fee<br />

goes towards Greenhope foundation,<br />

a project that encourages the sporting<br />

world to join the fight against cancer.


Kayaking,<br />

Abseiling and<br />

Coasteering<br />

Kayaking<br />

A kayak is a small narrow watercraft<br />

and the act of kayaking is propelling<br />

the craft by means of a double-bladed<br />

paddle. Whether it be on the sea, river<br />

or a lake, kayaking is fun, freeing and<br />

immersive.<br />

Great places to go kayaking are<br />

the Fjords of Norway, Jersey of the<br />

Channel Islands, Sardinia in Italy and<br />

the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia.<br />

Coasteering<br />

The activity of moving along a rocky coastline without the aid of any boats<br />

or crafts. It may include swimming, climbing and diving. An adventure for<br />

families as much as adrenaline junkies, it’s as much about discovering<br />

wildlife and the coastline as it is the adventure.<br />

Coasteering hot spots include Wales, Jersey of the Channel Island, Crete<br />

in Greece and the Wild Atlantic way in Ireland.<br />

Abseiling<br />

A controlled descent off a vertical<br />

drop, this one isn’t for the faint<br />

hearted. No previous experience is<br />

necessary however most <strong>com</strong>panies<br />

will offer a bit of training beforehand.<br />

Amazing places in <strong>Europe</strong> where<br />

you can abseil include Interlaken in<br />

Switzerland, Jersey of the Channel<br />

Islands, the Olympic stadium in<br />

Munich (Germany) and Lake Garda in<br />

Italy.


Address Tel +44 (0)7797727503 <strong>www</strong>.jerseyadventures.<strong>com</strong><br />

Jersey Adventures<br />

Channel Islands | Adventure Tour Company<br />

Jersey Adventures established in 1993 has long been the leading adventure<br />

tour <strong>com</strong>pany in the Channel Islands, pioneering and delivering many of<br />

the classic Jersey coasteering routes. Their services lead by John Fox also<br />

include coastal kayaking, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board tuition, rock climbing<br />

and abseiling experiences and in more recent year’s land sailing has proven very<br />

popular to locals and visitors to Jersey. The rich biodiversity of Jersey makes the<br />

Island an awe inspiring destination for adventure activities with golden beaches<br />

along the South coast, a moonscape Eastern coastline, cliff faces and caves<br />

along the North and West, with the third biggest tide in the World.<br />

To <strong>com</strong>pliment the adrenaline filled<br />

activities Jersey Adventures offer, for<br />

larger groups they can also provide<br />

further soft adventure activities such<br />

as archery, bush-craft / foraging and<br />

initiative games suitable to a broad<br />

range of client groups, some of which<br />

are included in their famous “Escape<br />

from Elizabeth Castle” event.<br />

However, if you are a smaller group of<br />

four to six people you can embark upon<br />

several bespoke and tailored experiences<br />

to suit your own personal adventure<br />

experience. For example, you may wish<br />

to abseil from the iconic Mont Orgueil<br />

Castle before coasteering it’s perimeter.<br />

Scale the dizzy heights by rock climbing<br />

and abseiling on the West coast before<br />

exploring the sights of special interest,<br />

whilst foraging for food.<br />

Groups can include special needs<br />

through to special forces and charity<br />

events.<br />

Further information is available at <strong>www</strong>.<br />

jerseyadventures.<strong>com</strong> or calling John<br />

directly on +44 (0)7797727503.


Water Sports<br />

Snorkelling<br />

The practice of swimming on or through a<br />

body of water while wearing a diving mask<br />

called a snorkel. The snorkel allows you to have<br />

your face down in the water and still breathe<br />

meaning you can observe underwater life for<br />

an extended period. A superb activity for the<br />

whole family, snorkelling is easy to learn and<br />

much safer than diving.<br />

Must visit snorkel spots are Elafonisi Beach<br />

in Crete, Makarska in Croatia and Lobos in<br />

the Canary Islands.<br />

Jet Skiing<br />

Refers to any type of personal watercraft<br />

used mainly for recreation. In other words, a<br />

motorbike on water that goes very fast. The<br />

appeal of jet skiing lies in the freedom on the<br />

water and the opportunity to crank up the<br />

speed. We re<strong>com</strong>mend a few lessons before<br />

you got out but once you get the hang of it<br />

nothing can beat the thrill and excitement.<br />

The best jet ski spots can be found in Ibiza<br />

(Spain), Nice (France) and Marmaris (Turkey).<br />

Surfing<br />

Surfing is the act of riding a wave towards the shore<br />

while standing or lying on a surfboard. The basics are<br />

quite easy to learn, and it’s a great activity for all ages.<br />

Surf camps and schools have cropped all over the<br />

world and are the best places to get started.<br />

Portugal leads the way in the finest place to surf but<br />

good options include the Canary Islands, Devon in the<br />

UK and Biarritz in France.<br />

Indoor surfing is be<strong>com</strong>ing increasingly popular. It’s<br />

all the fun of surfing whenever you want without the<br />

need to wait for the right conditions. A great place for<br />

this is the L&T mall in Osnabruck Germany.<br />

Stand up Paddle Boarding<br />

An off shoot of surfing in which boarders<br />

stand on their boards and use a paddle to<br />

propel themselves forward. A great activity<br />

for all the ages, easy to learn and full body<br />

workout.<br />

Popular stand up paddling places are<br />

Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Crete in<br />

Greece, Slovenia and Normandy in France.


Arina Beach, Kokkini Xani,<br />

Heraklion - Crete, Greece<br />

Tel +30 6986 638 569<br />

<strong>www</strong>.surfincrete.<strong>com</strong><br />

Surf in Crete<br />

Greece | The Award for Excellence in Branding<br />

Surf in Crete is located at Arina Beach, Kokkini Hani, Heraklion,10 min away<br />

from City Center and 5 min away from Heraklion Airport, right on the<br />

crystal sandy beach. The area has the best teaching conditions, and the safest<br />

environment on Crete.<br />

They are an IKO & ASI AFFILIATED SPORTS CENTER who have provide watersport<br />

services since 2013. They provde Stand Up Paddle, Surfing, Kitesurfing,<br />

Windsurfing, Surf / SUP Camps, Surf / Sup Tours, SUP Pilates, SUP Yoga, Team<br />

Building activities, Kids Camps<br />

They believe that private courses offer the best method of teaching, and their<br />

goal is to teach all of you personally.<br />

They provide highly knowledgeable & experienced instructors with IKO & ASI level<br />

3 certifications, and Teaching to Children & Stretching to kiters qualifications.<br />

Their school will provide you all the<br />

latest special training equipment for<br />

maximum safety and for the best<br />

teaching experience. They provide<br />

equipment such as kitesurfing kites, foil<br />

training kites, short lines training bars,<br />

special carbon fiberboards, carbon fiber<br />

radio helmets for VHF <strong>com</strong>munication,<br />

soft boards, epoxy boards, longboards,<br />

shortboards, bodyboards, SUP and SUP<br />

surfing boards, windsurf setups , for all<br />

levels.<br />

Their rental equipment for SUP / Surf /<br />

kitesurf / Windsurf are what you would<br />

dream of to ride with.<br />

Teaching with safety is a priority for<br />

them. Their Surf Rescue swimmers are<br />

on duty all day long with full first Aid /<br />

Aed support from our Private lifeguard<br />

tower.<br />

What’s best for you... is the best for us!


Große Str. 27-32,<br />

49074 Osnabrück, Germany<br />

Tel +49 541 331130<br />

<strong>www</strong>.l-t.de<br />

L&T Lengermann<br />

& Trieschmann<br />

GmbH & Co. KG<br />

Germany | The Award for Excellence in Service<br />

The city of Osnabrück in the center of the region Osnabrück is bordered by two<br />

mountain ranges and shaped by hills and greenery.<br />

In the center of the city lies the fashion and sports house L&T Lengermann &<br />

Trieschmann. With more than 100 years of history, it has now be<strong>com</strong>e a historical<br />

part of the city. The special thing about it: the experience factor.<br />

The focus of the family-run <strong>com</strong>pany is on fashion and sportswear. From the<br />

catwalks of the world directly to Osnabrück. The fashion retailer inspires its<br />

costumers season after season with women’s and men’s fashion as well as with<br />

children’s fashion, home accessoires, underweare and much more on three<br />

floores in an individual atmosphere.<br />

The latest attraction: the L&T sports<br />

house which opened last year with<br />

its award-winning new building. It is<br />

connected to the fashion house and<br />

extends the range of sports clothing and<br />

equipment by over 5000m².<br />

Seasonal swim and ski clothes are framed<br />

by the central highlight: the Hasewelle.<br />

Visitors can surf on a permanently<br />

installed indoor wave system. If you<br />

don’t want to surf yourself, you can<br />

watch the professional surfers. The other<br />

floors are filled with sneakers, sporty<br />

street wear, clothing and equipment for<br />

sports and another highlight: the City<br />

Gym. It convinces with a modern height<br />

technology, through which athletes<br />

reach their training goal faster and more<br />

effectively.<br />

A world of experience has emerged<br />

around the latest fashion trends in the<br />

recent years. L&T scores with a colorful<br />

program of promotions and offers in<br />

cooperation with famous brands of the<br />

fashion industry.


Scuba Diving<br />

A<br />

form of underwater diving where the<br />

diver uses a scuba (self-contained<br />

underwater breathing apparatus) to<br />

breath underwater.<br />

Scuba diving requires proper training and<br />

practice. No one should attempt to try this<br />

by simply buying some equipment online.<br />

The are thousands of <strong>com</strong>panies all over<br />

the world certified by PADI (professional<br />

association of diving instructors) that<br />

offer courses for beginner and advanced<br />

divers.<br />

For first timer’s sessions may take place in<br />

a swimming pool or shallow waters to help<br />

get used to the equipment and learn the<br />

basics. There are tourist places all over the<br />

world centred around the activity of diving<br />

so finding a school shouldn’t be too hard.<br />

The main attraction with scuba diving<br />

is the opportunity to see marine life up<br />

close and in a natural setting. Marine life is<br />

varied, colourful and breath-taking, divers<br />

travel the globe to experience this again<br />

and again. This has even been taken to the<br />

extreme with caged shark diving.<br />

Other attractions when diving is<br />

shipwrecks (which are also used to<br />

create artificial reefs) and caves. Both<br />

are more hazardous than normal<br />

diving and may require enhanced<br />

training or dive buddy.<br />

Brilliant place in <strong>Europe</strong> to scuba dive are Gozo in Malta, Cyprus, Tenerife in<br />

Spain, Orkney in Scotland and Losinj Croatia.


Cyprus Tel +357 25311923 <strong>www</strong>.dive-in-limassol.<strong>com</strong><br />

Dive-In Limassol<br />

Cyprus | Diving Company<br />

Dive in Limassol is a 5-star Instructor Development Centre that has been<br />

in operation since 1994. The centre provides a wide variety of courses and<br />

is excellent for beginner or inexperienced divers and has an impeccable training<br />

and safety record. A regular award winner, Dive in Limassol recently won the<br />

Diving Company of the Year Award from <strong>Travel</strong> & <strong>Hospitality</strong> <strong>Awards</strong>.<br />

The centre employees highly qualified diving instructors with decades of<br />

experience under their belt, who are known for their love of diving, their respect<br />

for the environment, and their proven track record in teaching and customer<br />

service. The instructor to student ratio is usually low, thus allowing for a more<br />

detailed and intimate learning experience.<br />

The centre offers introductory courses,<br />

including the kid-friendly ‘Bubble-<br />

Makers’ that allows young wannabe<br />

divers to experience underwater<br />

breathing and weightlessness in the<br />

swimming pool. Those wanting to dip<br />

their toes in the water can opt for a trydive<br />

which can also count as part of the<br />

first section of the Open Water course!<br />

There are all PADI courses to choose<br />

from Scuba Diver up to Instructor<br />

Level. Dive in Limassol is a centre for<br />

excellence and offers a very successful<br />

instructor training program 4 times a<br />

year in Cyprus.<br />

Divers are spoilt for choice especially<br />

because the area is famous for its wreck<br />

dives, including ‘The Zenobia’, one of the<br />

Top 10 diving wrecks Worldwide. There<br />

are also wreck dives in Limassol, and<br />

shallow dives for everyone to enjoy. Dive<br />

In also has access to a fleet of luxury<br />

boats for Private Charter to both dive<br />

from or just to relax and enjoy a day on<br />

the sea!


Motorcycle Touring<br />

If you’ve got a motorbike licence<br />

and a love for riding, then this is<br />

the trip for you. Booking a multiday<br />

motorcycle trip with a reputable<br />

vendor is the best way to go about a<br />

tour. These <strong>com</strong>panies provide a range<br />

of bikes, take the hassle out of making<br />

reservations and logistically plan the<br />

whole trip while also providing a safety<br />

net.<br />

Astidamantos 85 (5,998.45 mi),<br />

Athens, Greece<br />

MotoGreece I.K.E.<br />

Greece | Motorcycle Tour Company<br />

Tel +30 697 797 0421<br />

<strong>www</strong>.motogreece.gr<br />

You can of course plan your own trip<br />

or go with the flow, just make sure you<br />

have the right bike for the trip.<br />

Excellent riding destination include<br />

Central and Northwest Greece, the<br />

ring of Iceland, the wild Atlantic way<br />

in Ireland and the road to the Fjords in<br />

Norway.<br />

If you want to discover Greece on 2 wheels and get to know the mainland behind<br />

the postcard images, MotoGreece offer all inclusive, guided motorcycle tours<br />

in the mainland as well as self-guided tours and premium motorcycle rentals.<br />

Seeing parts of Greece that are not on the typical tourist trail is a once in a<br />

lifetime experience. You can experience the best motorcycling routes in the<br />

country on backcountry roads, winding high up to remote mountain ranges with<br />

deep gorges and impetuous rivers or into forrested alpine country .<br />

Important historic and natural sites are included, while hotels are hand-picked<br />

and chosen for their exceptional hospitality and local character.<br />

Tours are carefully designed, drawing on their inside knowledge of their country<br />

as well as their extensive travel experience on 2 wheels all across <strong>Europe</strong> and<br />

South America over the years.


Cultural Enrichment<br />

<br />

If you’re too lazy to take up an adventure<br />

activity but at the same time would like to get<br />

more out of a trip, then cultural activities maybe<br />

right up your street. Holidays present the perfect<br />

opportunity to broaden our cultural horizons<br />

and learn something new. This can be as little<br />

as couple of hours in a workshop or a stroll<br />

through a historically significant neighbourhood<br />

where one can take in the sights, sounds and<br />

flavours. Cultural experiences are a great way to<br />

see a place from a new perspective, make great<br />

memories, try new things and appreciate the trip<br />

more.<br />

Below are a few tips for culturally rich holiday and we will list some of<br />

our favourite cultural experiences;<br />

Minimal Planning<br />

Without planned excursions you have more time to discover the local<br />

culture in an organic way. An unspecified agenda may lead to more<br />

rewarding cultural insights.<br />

Louvre Museum


Small Local Hotels<br />

Small hotels owned by locals will give a much<br />

better insight into local culture than chains or<br />

big luxury properties. Small local properties tend<br />

to be converted historic buildings and based in<br />

a residential part of town.<br />

Workshops<br />

Arts and Crafts Studios<br />

Arts and crafts is a term used to describe a diverse<br />

set of activities that involve making things with your<br />

own hands. For most this is a hobby but on holiday<br />

this can be a great experience and a fantastic<br />

opportunity to learn. Arts and crafts include<br />

woodworking, painting studios, pottery making,<br />

sewing and much more by way of making things<br />

with all sorts of materials.<br />

Awesome workshops across <strong>Europe</strong> are the Hanne<br />

Mi ceramic art studio in Greece, the Venice carnival<br />

making class and the perfume creation workshop in<br />

Paris.<br />

Do as the Locals Do<br />

You’ve probably heard this<br />

one before. Simply put<br />

follow the lead of the locals<br />

on things like where to eat,<br />

public transport, drinking<br />

customs, greetings and<br />

even clothing.<br />

Photography Courses<br />

Also known as a photography tours, these<br />

experiences are less hands on and more about<br />

finding the right place at the right time to capture the<br />

best photograph. With a <strong>com</strong>petent guide you will<br />

get all the instructions you need and an opportunity<br />

to see the guide in action.<br />

Great photography courses can be found in London<br />

(London Photo Walks), Algarve (Algarphoto) and<br />

Istanbul (Istanbul Photo Workshops).


Ionian Islands, Greece Tel + <strong>www</strong>.ceramichannemi.<strong>com</strong><br />

Hanne Mi’s Ceramic<br />

Art Studio<br />

Greece | Cultural Experience<br />

Nestled in a serene corner of the southern part of Zante / Zakynthos island,<br />

Hanne Mi’s Ceramic Art Studio is surrounded by an endless expanse<br />

of olive groves. A perfect sanctuary for visitors interested in the art of Ceramics,<br />

her stone house studio also contains a showroom in which she showcases all<br />

her unique designs. She has a wide range of products available for sale including<br />

tableware for everyday use, sculptures, tiles for the bathroom and kitchen, sinks,<br />

and fountains all made of high-quality stoneware. Hailing originally from Norway,<br />

her style is gently inspired by the simplicity of her homeland and <strong>com</strong>bined with<br />

warmer Mediterranean temperament and colours.<br />

Hanne Mi holds an Open Day workshop<br />

every Tuesday and Friday when guests are<br />

invited to just drop by and have a try on<br />

the pottery wheel. No previous experience<br />

necessary, just <strong>com</strong>e as you are and get in<br />

touch with your creative side! Design your<br />

very own clay pots and paint them exactly<br />

as you wish. Children are wel<strong>com</strong>e and this<br />

is, in fact, a very family-friendly activity.<br />

Hanne also offers private pottery lessons<br />

for up to three people. This is an intimate<br />

and intensive class for those interested<br />

in a more in-depth understanding of the<br />

art of Pottery. Group lessons can also be<br />

arranged. Visitors are wel<strong>com</strong>e to take<br />

their creations with them or have them<br />

shipped back home for a small fee.<br />

This is definitely an experience worth<br />

trying. Be prepared to be mesmerised by<br />

the creative magic of the pottery wheel!


Gastronomic<br />

Experiences<br />

Food Tour<br />

A tour led by a local guide, that involves walking around a city<br />

(or neighbourhood within a city) going into shops, markets and<br />

restaurants to try and learn about the local food. You will certainly<br />

get a deep understanding of how the foods fit into the local way of<br />

life and experience the cuisine in an authentic setting. For many<br />

these tours are like visiting a friend that is showing you the best<br />

spots to eat in town without overspending. Guides normally share<br />

interesting stories about sites along the way and share insider<br />

knowledge based on their own experiences.<br />

Cooking Class<br />

Studying how to prepare food by <strong>com</strong>bining, mixing and<br />

heating ingredients. Cooking classes are the new cool, an<br />

opportunity for a cultural exchange, the acquirement of<br />

a life skill and an authentic experience. Like food tours<br />

a cooking class will give you a deep understanding of<br />

how food fits into the local way of life however with a<br />

cooking class you get to have the opportunity to take that<br />

experience home to share with friends and family. Our top<br />

three cooking experiences are the Mediterranean culinary<br />

academy in Malta, cooking experience Apulia in Italy and<br />

Le Foodist in Paris.<br />

Wine Tasting<br />

Wine tasting Is the sensory<br />

examination and evaluation of<br />

wine. Unlike a visit to a single<br />

vineyard a wine tasting tour can<br />

involve a visit to many or none. Wine<br />

tastings take place at restaurants,<br />

wine cellars, wine shops and even<br />

in the organisers home. The one<br />

thing in <strong>com</strong>mon is the opportunity<br />

to taste variety of different wines<br />

from one region or many.<br />

Visit a Vineyard<br />

This is normally as a tour through the land and facilities<br />

of a vineyard. On a tour you can expect to sample some<br />

wine, study the wine making process, inspect facilities<br />

and learn about the history of the vineyard and local<br />

area. In some cases, the vineyard owners may also offer<br />

gourmet snacks, private hire of the facility and double up<br />

as a boutique hotel. Popular vineyards are Dedham Vale<br />

in the UK, Tenuta San Guido in Italy and Domaine Saint<br />

Amant in France.<br />

The 5 basic steps in tasting wine<br />

are colour, swirl, smell, taste and<br />

savour. The taster is usually looking<br />

for the expressiveness, clarity,<br />

<strong>com</strong>plexity and varietal character<br />

of the wine.<br />

Fantastic wine tasting experiences<br />

include the Art Bottega – wine and<br />

paint studio in Split, Athens wine<br />

tasting in Greece and Rioja wine<br />

tours in Spain.


Corte dell’Idume, 5 – 73100, Lecce, Italy Tel +39 3278537031 / +39 0832 317889 <strong>www</strong>.cookingexperience.it/en<br />

5, Sappers Street, Valletta,<br />

VLT 1320,Malta<br />

Tel +00356 9970 4909<br />

<strong>www</strong>.mcamalta.<strong>com</strong><br />

Cooking Experience<br />

Lecce<br />

Italy | Culinary Experience<br />

Mediterranean<br />

Culinary Academy<br />

Malta | Unique Experience<br />

The excellent Cooking Experience school is based in the picturesque<br />

city of Lecce, famous for its Baroque architecture and beautiful historical<br />

structures. It was founded in 2008 by resident Gianna who was born in the<br />

region of Salento and has been a passionate cook as long as she can remember.<br />

In the last 10 years, she has been kind enough to share her immense knowledge<br />

about local Apulian cuisine with cooking enthusiasts in her signature calm and<br />

empathic manner.<br />

Groups are kept to a minimum to ensure they get the most benefit out of the class.<br />

Gianna and her Chefs offer a great selection of different cooking experiences. At<br />

the school, you get your very own fully-equipped workstation where the Chefs<br />

will guide you through all of the steps necessary to make the perfect threecourse<br />

meal. You can even pair meals with an assortment of specially selected<br />

wines. The recipes are emailed to you so you can re-create the heavenly tastes<br />

once you are back at home.<br />

The Mediterranean Culinary Academy (MCA) is a product-driven food<br />

academy. With kitchens in both Valletta and St Julians, Malta, the MCA is<br />

focused on giving its students the technical abilities to excel in any culinary role<br />

– whether they are home cooks or professionals. It is intrinsically <strong>com</strong>mitted to<br />

developing Mediterranean cuisine in particular, and has a dynamic syllabus with<br />

a strong focus on researching the culinary arts and outlining the human story<br />

of nourishment.<br />

At the core of the academy’s values lies a deep understanding of the ecological<br />

equilibrium necessary to support the planet’s health and is <strong>com</strong>mitted to lead the<br />

way with regards to sustainable agricultural and social practices.


Tournavitou 9, Athina 105 53, Greece Tel +30 697 435 9120 <strong>www</strong>.athens-winetasting.<strong>com</strong><br />

Athens Wine Tasting<br />

Greece | Cultural Experience<br />

Greece<br />

If you’re heading out for a holiday in Greece, it would be a crime not to explore<br />

its spectacular wineries and vineyards. if you plan to make the most of your<br />

wine tasting experience, make sure you book a tour with Athens Wine Tasting.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany organizes private and semi-private wine tastings and excursions<br />

in the splendid wine region of Attica in Greece. Some tours also cover the lesserknown<br />

local wine regions such as Nemea and Mantineia.<br />

Apart from tasting amazing wines, you can learn about the ancient Greek wine<br />

culture and unique wine varieties of each region. The best part is that you can<br />

enjoy a virtual tour of the mesmerizing Attica vineyards right under the Acropolis.<br />

The semi-private tours take you across the ancient vineyards of Attica, boutique<br />

wineries, and wine museums.<br />

Each itinerary is carefully designed by the <strong>com</strong>pany’s team of passionate<br />

wine experts. Moreover, the experienced tour guides ensure that you have a<br />

memorable experience.


Green Lane, Boxted,<br />

Colchester, Essex, UK<br />

Tel +01206 271 136<br />

<strong>www</strong>.dedhamvalevineyard.<strong>com</strong><br />

Dedham Vale Vineyard<br />

United Kingdom | Vineyard<br />

Nestled next to Dedham Vale, a designated area of outstanding natural<br />

beauty on the Essex-Suffolk border, lies the beautiful family owned and<br />

run Dedham Vale Vineyard. The vines are set in 40 acres of glorious English<br />

countryside, ac<strong>com</strong>panied by woods, lakes, meadows and picturesque buildings.<br />

Visitors can book from spring through to autumn on to the regular tours where<br />

expert guides will lead them through the vines, explain the wine making process<br />

and conduct a wine tasting of English wines; this is then followed by a lunch<br />

which is included in the experience.<br />

Afterwards, there is an opportunity to relax by the water or explore the landscape<br />

and the many natural habitats provided by the woods and lakes.<br />

Before returning home be sure to visit the Tasting<br />

Barn wine store where they sell local produce<br />

which changes seasonally. Throughout the year<br />

the Vineyard also holds a series of seasonal<br />

events and courses focussing on rural pursuits,<br />

varying from beekeeping to Christmas wreathmaking.<br />

All bookings must be made in advance<br />

through their website, where more information<br />

can be found about up <strong>com</strong>ing courses and<br />

events.<br />

Over the years many visitors have fallen in love<br />

with the natural beauty of the site and in turn<br />

wanted to celebrate their own special occasions<br />

at the vineyard. As such the estate is also<br />

available to hire for parties, private events and<br />

weddings.


Historical Sites<br />

Museums<br />

A building in which items of historical,<br />

cultural and artistic significance are stored<br />

and exhibited. Museums are routinely<br />

dismissed as boring dusty places when in<br />

fact they are amazing centres of wonder<br />

and inspiration. Museums oftentimes are<br />

buildings of historical significance that<br />

provide an effective way of learning and a<br />

great activity for all the family.<br />

Items of significance vary by each<br />

indivudals interests. Museums are a great<br />

opportunity to explore new interests<br />

and discover some of the weird and<br />

wonderful niches such as the museum of<br />

lawnmowers in the UK, or the museum of<br />

broken relationships in Zagreb.<br />

Some of the excellent museums that we<br />

would re<strong>com</strong>mend include the Topkapi<br />

Palace in Istanbul, Lavender Museum<br />

in France and the State Hermitage in St<br />

Petersburg.<br />

Heritage Sites<br />

An official location where pieces of<br />

political, cultural and social history<br />

have been preserved due to their<br />

cultural significance. Heritage sites<br />

are usually protected by law. A visit<br />

to a heritage site is an enjoyable<br />

experience and helps promote the<br />

preservation of local traditions,<br />

customs and culture. Visitors inject<br />

new money into the local economy<br />

thus helping boost business and<br />

encourage maintenance of the site.<br />

The standing of a heritage site<br />

may be further boosted by being<br />

selected as a world heritage site<br />

by the UN for having cultural,<br />

historic or scientific significance.<br />

Such sites are legally protected by<br />

international treaties. Top heritage<br />

sites are Butrint in Albania, the<br />

colosseum in Rome, Hagia Sophia<br />

in Istanbul and Spike Island Cork in<br />

Ireland.


Kennedy pier, Kilgarvan, Cobh,<br />

Co. Cork, Ireland<br />

Tel +353 21 237 3455<br />

<strong>www</strong>.spikeislandcork.ie<br />

Spike Island Tours<br />

Ireland | Cultural Tour Company<br />

You’ll expect to discover prison cells, the<br />

military Fortress, exhibitions, and several<br />

museums and scenic island walks. There is<br />

a 100 seater cafe on site for tea, coffee, and<br />

snacks, and a minibus to carry passengers<br />

from the pier to the Fortress. Suitable for all<br />

age ranges and interests, a visit can be as<br />

short as 2 hours or you could easily spend<br />

all day wandering the island. With strong<br />

links to the UK, US, France, Germany, and<br />

Australia, discover your connection and<br />

uncover the past at Fortress Spike Island<br />

Discover Captains, Convicts, Sinners and Saints at Ireland’s prison island,<br />

voted <strong>Europe</strong>’s Leading tourist attraction of 2017! Spike Island, Cork has<br />

over 1300 years of rich Irish history having once been home to the world’s largest<br />

prison, an island fortress, a remote monastery and centuries of social activity.<br />

Today the island can be visited by a short and scenic ferry ride from beautiful<br />

Cobh. On the island, visitors can take the guided tour, use an audioguide or<br />

explore the island’s 104 acres using the free map and app.


The <strong>com</strong>pany also offers intimate experiences not for the faint hearted. Join one<br />

of the after dark tours and immerse yourself in the chilling history that haunts this<br />

beautiful island habitat. Walk through the eerie chambers of the Punishment Block,<br />

a prison built with the sole purpose of punishing human beings, built in mysterious<br />

underground tunnels and cells that are sure to chill as much as they excite.<br />

Other displays worth exploring include a visit to the Children’s prison, that held<br />

boys as young as 12 in a crammed dormitory and Little Nellie’s House, for a close<br />

encounter with one of the youngest saints to have existed.<br />

Spike Island, Cork


Drahtzugstrasse 4, 8008 Zürich,<br />

Switzerland<br />

Tel +41 76 330 59 89<br />

<strong>www</strong>.letsmuseeum.<strong>com</strong><br />

#letsmuseeum<br />

Switzerland | Cultural Experience<br />

Letsmuseeum is an exciting new initiative that allows guests to visit famous<br />

attractions and experience them in uniquely unorthodox and unusual<br />

ways. Whether it’s a well-known museum, a beautiful park or a place of historical<br />

interest, Letsmuseeum offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the<br />

experience form a <strong>com</strong>pletely different angle. Be prepared to feel entertained,<br />

touched and inspired while zapping through time and space.<br />

Their <strong>com</strong>pany offers a choice of activities in various cities of Switzerland. Their<br />

famous tours can be delivered in Swiss, German and English languages. Learn<br />

amazing facts about women hiding behind great works of Art (and women<br />

sometimes hidden in them!) in their popular Womamazing tour. Make a brilliant<br />

impression at your next romantic endeavour by sharing quirky and weird stuff<br />

that you learn during their Suicide, Money and Olive Oil tour, a collection of<br />

eccentric curiosities in the world of Art in Zurich.<br />

Or perhaps discover some of their<br />

favourite spots and hangouts, full of<br />

personal significance and sordid details<br />

during our outdoors Inner City Blues tour.<br />

They can cater for larger groups. Perhaps<br />

you’d like to arrange a memorable teambuilding<br />

day that will be your business’<br />

highlight of the year. Or if you preffer llet<br />

them create an event for your bachelor/<br />

bachelorette party, full of inspiration and<br />

little surprises.<br />

And if you wish for an extra personal<br />

tough and seek professional growth, why<br />

not join one of their excellent Storytelling<br />

workshops, where they teach you how to<br />

reach new audiences by applying expert<br />

techniques in your field of work!


276 Route de Gordes,<br />

84220 Cabrières-d’Avignon<br />

Tel +0033 4 90 76 91 23<br />

<strong>www</strong>.museedelalavande.<strong>com</strong><br />

Lavender Museum<br />

Luberon<br />

France | Cultural Experience<br />

Located in Luberon, an area rich in historical and cultural traditions as well<br />

as natural beauty, the Lavender Museum makes for a different and unique<br />

excursion. It is the cultural extension to the family owned Lavender Estate,<br />

located in the dry mountains of Provence at 1100 meters of altitude. This precious<br />

and rare flower has an exquisite fragrance and healing properties and is a major<br />

element of the most photographed landscapes in the world.<br />

Known as the conservatory of Fine Lavender, the museum offers guided tours<br />

for groups and individuals, workshops, DIY activities, and exclusive events for<br />

the whole family and all lovers of this queen flower from Provence.<br />

If you are a true lavender enthusiast,<br />

the tradition and heritage tour allows<br />

you to discover the art of fine lavender<br />

in every aspect imaginable: discovery<br />

and production, harvest and distillation<br />

and also its numerous uses. Known as<br />

the ‘swiss army knife” of aromatherapy<br />

you find out about the multiple benefits<br />

of true lavender, used medicinally since<br />

the Roman times.<br />

For an all-round sensory experience, you<br />

are invited to a journey to your senses<br />

in the 5 senses workshop, led by a<br />

professional guide. Who knew a painting<br />

could be perceived in so many different<br />

ways!<br />

If you are lucky enough to visit the area<br />

in the summer, why not join the free<br />

live distillation workshop and see fresh<br />

lavender flowers be magically distilled<br />

into precious essential oils! A traditional<br />

and captivating moment that will surely<br />

remain unforgettable.


Sardinia<br />

The Mediterranean


Portugal<br />

Best time to visit<br />

From February through to<br />

October. The summer can get<br />

hot so the spring and autumn<br />

months may be ideal.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Lisbon, an enchanting<br />

city that is alive with a<br />

contemporary culture<br />

and certainly not afraid to<br />

<strong>com</strong>pete with its bigger<br />

more glamorous <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />

counterparts.<br />

There is one place<br />

we love to go,<br />

its Portugal<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Northern Portugal<br />

2. Central Portugal<br />

3. Lisboa Region<br />

4. Alentejo Region<br />

5. Algarve Region<br />

6. Madeira<br />

7. Azores<br />

In association with<br />

How to get in<br />

Most major tourist centres<br />

are accessible via flights<br />

especially during the summer<br />

season. Buses and Trains offer<br />

an alternative when entering<br />

through neighbouring Spain.<br />

Must do activity<br />

A food tour, the most varied<br />

and engrossing experience<br />

you can have in the country.


R. Nova da Trindade 2,<br />

1200-443 Lisboa, Portugal<br />

Tel +351 917 208 885<br />

<strong>www</strong>.avenidas.pt<br />

Avenidas -<br />

Tours & Transfers<br />

Portugal | The Award for Excellence in Branding<br />

Because they understand the value<br />

of <strong>com</strong>munity, they want to create<br />

a <strong>com</strong>munity of their own. They are<br />

focused on providing unique, meaningful<br />

& memorable experiences for their<br />

guests. For them, perfect hospitality is<br />

giving a piece of themselves for you to<br />

take back home. They strive to make you<br />

feel like a LOCAL and confident that they<br />

will!<br />

Whatever your needs, they are here for<br />

you!<br />

Avenidas is a travel <strong>com</strong>pany that aims to provide the best possible<br />

experience for their customers. Their drivers value your safety and <strong>com</strong>fort<br />

as much as the cultural experience that they offer. Get to anywhere in Portugal<br />

with their private driver services, easily available with their online booking!<br />

Whatsmore you can discover the country and culture with one of their private or<br />

small group tours.<br />

Wwhat characterizes them is their believe that their human capital is their<br />

strength making them more than just a <strong>com</strong>pany. Avenidas provides services in<br />

6 languages ​(Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, Italian, and French).


Av. Duque de Loulé 81-83, Lisboa, Portugal Tel +351 21 318 2000 <strong>www</strong>.h10hotels.<strong>com</strong><br />

H10 Duque de Loule<br />

Portugal | Boutique Hotel<br />

H10 Duque de Loule was established back in March, 2015. Since then, it<br />

has successfully made a reputable name amongst top boutique hotels<br />

in Portugal. Located in a historical building in the heart of Lisbon, this hotel<br />

makes it easy for you to access all the primary tourist attractions of the city.<br />

Famous interior designer Lazaro Rosa-Violan can be accredited for renovating<br />

and decorating the structure with stylish, yet elegant elements. Its beautiful<br />

18th-century facade has been preserved, while its interior design is a fusion<br />

of traditional Portuguese elements and contemporary modern and functional<br />

elements. The four-star hotel features over 89 unique rooms.<br />

There are four different types of rooms that you can choose to stay in, namely<br />

Double Rooms, Superior Double Rooms, Deluxe Rooms as well as Suites. All the<br />

rooms are brightly lit and are decorated with very elegant, contemporary interior<br />

designs where blue and white tones dominate the structures. The traditional<br />

Portuguese tiles – exclusively hand painted for the hotel – create a captivating<br />

atmosphere. In addition, some Double Rooms and Superior Double Rooms<br />

feature a cozy reading corner by the window.<br />

The hotel also has meeting rooms which<br />

are fully equipped for holding both work<br />

meetings and private events. All the<br />

rooms offer luxurious amenities which<br />

provide all the <strong>com</strong>fort needed for a<br />

pleasant stay in the wonderful city of<br />

Lisbon. In the H10 Duque, you can enjoy<br />

a delicious fusion of Portuguese and<br />

Spanish flavours in the Azul e Branco<br />

restaurant and then relax over a cup<br />

of coffee in the Equestre Bar or take in<br />

the fantastic city views from the hotel’s<br />

Chill-Out Limão terrace.<br />

Since the hotel is located in the<br />

Portuguese capital of Lisbon, which<br />

in itself is a cultural hub, one can find<br />

numerous tourist attractions in and<br />

around the space. You can wander<br />

through its diverse neighbourhoods<br />

and discover why it has been given the<br />

title, ‘City of Light.’ Gastronomy, art and<br />

hundreds of charming spots make this a<br />

multifaceted city full of contrasts where<br />

visitors can relax and soak up the culture.<br />

It has something for everyone and the<br />

best way to discover it is by staying at<br />

H10 Duque de Loule!


Lisbon<br />

A stunning ancient city built on seven hills<br />

recognised for its trams, Moorish castle and<br />

pastel de nata (custard tart). The capital of<br />

Portugal is a city on the rise, the trend of<br />

short breaks trips <strong>com</strong>bined with increased<br />

low-cost flights has meant the number of<br />

tourist visitors to the city has almost doubled<br />

in the last decade, and for good reason. The<br />

city is charming, vibrant, a culinary hub and<br />

one that effortlessly blends its traditional<br />

heritage with modernity and progressive<br />

thinking.<br />

The weather is ideal from May right through<br />

to September. A hot summer is sandwiched<br />

between pleasant spring and autumn<br />

seasons. The winter is a little wet but that<br />

shouldn’t deter you as the city has a lot to<br />

offer for a wet day. Lisbon unlike most of<br />

Portugal is an all year-round destination.<br />

Getting into Lisbon is easy enough, the<br />

main airport (Aeroporto da Portela) is well<br />

served internationally and is the main hub<br />

for TAP Air Portugal, the flag carrier airline of<br />

Portugal. The city is well connected with the<br />

rest of the country and neighbouring Spain<br />

via an extensive bus and train network.<br />

Like most other modern<br />

capitals Lisbon has a wellorganized<br />

public transport<br />

(bus, tram and metro)<br />

network that covers the<br />

city and surrounding areas.<br />

Cycling around the centre<br />

city is also viable, bike lanes<br />

have been put in and traffic<br />

in parts slowed.<br />

The city has its fair share<br />

of hotels, apartments<br />

rentals, small guest<br />

houses, hostels and even<br />

boat ac<strong>com</strong>modation. We<br />

re<strong>com</strong>mend the H10 Duque<br />

de Loulé and the Neya<br />

Lisboa Eco Hotel, both<br />

profiled on the following<br />

pages.<br />

For sightseeing the best place to stay is the historic centre, so that you’re within walking<br />

distance of all the main sights and attractions. For the thriving nightlife the Cais do Sodre<br />

district is best and for business the Parque das Nacoes district, close to the airport and<br />

home to many modern business hotels.


Lisbon, Portugal Tel +351 914501031 <strong>www</strong>.weekbreaktours.<strong>com</strong><br />

Week Break Tours, Lda<br />

Portugal | Destination Specialist<br />

Next time you visit beautiful Portugal, ensure you make the most of your<br />

time there by getting in touch with Week Break Tours. The <strong>com</strong>pany<br />

offers an excellent choice of tours and experiences and all the guides and<br />

drivers have extensive knowledge of the country and its culture so it would be<br />

hard not to find something that takes your fancy. Based in Lisbon, Week Break<br />

Tours offer short trips, day and night tours, multi-day tours as well as other<br />

exciting activities, always conducted in small and private groups for an intimate<br />

experience.<br />

If you’ve only got a few hours to spare, take one of the quick tours around the<br />

city and enjoy modern Lisbon in all its glory. The half-day tours are one of the<br />

most popular ones and really let you discover what makes Lisbon one of the<br />

most enjoyable travel destinations in <strong>Europe</strong>.<br />

For maximum enjoyment, pick one of<br />

the numerous day or multiday tour<br />

itineraries, including visiting the lesser<br />

crowded areas of Évora, Fatima, Tomar<br />

and Setubal. You can visit the local<br />

wineries at Azeitão and taste some<br />

of their produce, while delving into the<br />

beautiful landscapes and beaches of the<br />

Arrabida Mountain, visit the magnificent<br />

Sanctuary of Fatima or choose to<br />

explore Tomar and the secrests of the<br />

Templar Knights. The <strong>com</strong>pany also<br />

offers popular multi-day trips where you<br />

can <strong>com</strong>bine visits to some of the best<br />

attractions in Lisbon and the surrounding<br />

areas, or just make a longer trip along the<br />

marvelous landscapes of the genuine<br />

Portugal like the Douro Valley, the old<br />

medieval villages and castles or the<br />

hundreds of wineries along the country<br />

to make the experience <strong>com</strong>pletely<br />

unforgettable. If you’re not sure what are<br />

the best places to see or visit, Week Break<br />

Tours will customize a program specially<br />

for you dedicated to your preferences.<br />

Whatever your choice is, tour guides are<br />

passionate about the culture and history<br />

of Portugal and will go to great lengths<br />

to ensure your utmost <strong>com</strong>fort.


The Best<br />

of Lisbon<br />

Ride the Funiculars<br />

The funiculars have be<strong>com</strong>e a <strong>com</strong>mon and popular site<br />

associated with Lisbon. Although popular with tourists,<br />

locals still use these as a mode of transport. Funiculars are<br />

used to get up and down the steepest hills (we re<strong>com</strong>mend<br />

a nice refreshing stroll down after a ride up). There are<br />

currently three funiculars operating in the city, the Ascensor<br />

da Bica, da Gloria and do Lavra.<br />

Take a Boat Tour<br />

Boat trips along the river Tejo are<br />

very popular. There are several types<br />

available ranging from traditional<br />

boats to motor yachts. Popular<br />

excursions are dolphin watching,<br />

sunset cruises and tour of historic<br />

sites.<br />

Christ the King<br />

Statue<br />

Designed in similarity<br />

to the Christ the<br />

redeemer statue in<br />

Rio De Janiero. This<br />

stands at over 100<br />

metres tall, 82 metres<br />

raised platform and 28<br />

metres Christ statue.<br />

The grounds are free to<br />

visit, and you can pay<br />

for a lift to the top for<br />

breath-taking views of<br />

the city.<br />

A wander around Alfama District<br />

One of Lisbon’s oldest areas; the<br />

Moorish history of the city is still<br />

on display here. It’s steep and<br />

atmospheric streets are lined with<br />

cafes, restaurants and traditional<br />

craft shops. The famous tram<br />

number 28 runs through the district<br />

and offers great rest from wandering<br />

the irregular shaped winding streets.<br />

Belem Tower<br />

Lisbon’s most recognisable attraction<br />

and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A<br />

16th century fortification that served<br />

as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.<br />

Entrance to the tower is via small<br />

bridge and it’s open to visitors all<br />

year round.


R. De Dona Estefânia 71-77,<br />

1150-132 Lisboa, Portugal<br />

Tel +351 21 310 1800<br />

<strong>www</strong>.neyahotels.<strong>com</strong><br />

Neya Lisboa<br />

Eco Hotel<br />

Portugal | Eco-Friendly Hotel<br />

Urban and sustainable hotel located in a quiet area of the city but close to<br />

the liveliest streets and with fast and easy access to everywhere. For this<br />

you can use the nearby metro, buses, bicycles provided by the hotel or choose a<br />

healthy walk through the beautiful city of Lisbon.<br />

Ideal for city breaks and business trips. Spaces are cozy and designed for a deep<br />

rest, with all the amenities, including shiatsu massage cushion. The service is<br />

attentive and available.<br />

Since its opening in 2011 – International Year of Forests – all its activity is guided<br />

by tripartite sustainability concept – environmental, economic and social.<br />

NEYA <strong>com</strong>bines the excellence of the services with the efficient management<br />

model in order to reduce the impact of their activities on the environment and<br />

<strong>com</strong>munity through responsible and conscious practices and initiatives, awardwinning<br />

and certified. NEYA is the only<br />

carbon neutral hotel in the country<br />

with the “Carbono Zero” Certification.<br />

Emissions are offset by restitution of<br />

national forest area. Contributing in this<br />

way to the mitigation of global warming<br />

and climate change on the planet.<br />

NEYA Lisboa Hotel’s areas were<br />

designed thinking in a deep rest in a<br />

cosy environment characterized by a<br />

distinct design that values details. These<br />

were projected for <strong>com</strong>fort and leisure<br />

having a customized and caring service<br />

intended to meet guest’s needs.<br />

The services available include Day Spa<br />

with various massage rituals, holistic<br />

therapies and jaccuzzi; Eco Meetings,<br />

with full support for the organization<br />

of sustainable events; diverse buffet<br />

breakfast; bicycles for guests to explore<br />

the city in a healthy, free and ecological<br />

way; Free wi-fi throughout the hotel;<br />

a free app with georeferenced routes,<br />

events and points of interest in the city<br />

of Lisbon; and an author’s Portuguese<br />

restaurant with fresh, seasonal and<br />

Portuguese ingredients, includes options<br />

for restrictive diets.


Food and Drink<br />

in Lisbon<br />

Lisbon’s most famous food export is<br />

the Pastel de Nata, a sweet custard<br />

tart and is a must eat in the city, ideally<br />

washed down with a cup of coffee.<br />

Past this the city is a culinary powerhouse<br />

with a prolific sea food scene. Lisbon’s<br />

position as a coastal city, and rich cultural<br />

heritage mean the sea food is always<br />

fresh, tasty and authentic. Grilled sardines<br />

with bread are a staple. Bacalhau à Brás,<br />

made with salted cod fish, onions and<br />

potatoes is a popular <strong>com</strong>fort food. The<br />

Polvo a lagareiro (an octopus dish) will<br />

leave you wanting more. And the shellfish<br />

and clams are some of the world’s best.<br />

The city’s signature dish however is the<br />

Lulas recheadas à lisbonense (stuffed<br />

squid of Lisbon style), basically a squid<br />

stuffed with a pan-fried mixture of<br />

sausage, garlic and onions.<br />

Petiscos are Portugals answer to Spanish<br />

tapas. Petiscos are small and delicious<br />

snacks served mainly in bars. Octopus<br />

salad, cod fritters and snails are the most<br />

<strong>com</strong>mon plates.<br />

For a drink why not try<br />

a Vinho Verde, a wine<br />

served in slender green<br />

bottles, slightly fizzy<br />

and best enjoyed as an<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>paniment to a<br />

seafood dish.<br />

Azeitao Cheese is a regional delicacy and one with a protected<br />

designation of origin status. Meaning it can only be officially produced<br />

in the town of Azeitao (25 miles east of Lisbon). Available in Lisbon’s<br />

markets this cheese is creamy, flavourful and rich.


Rua de Campolide, nº27 – 4º esq.,<br />

Lisboa 1070-026, Portugal<br />

Tel +351 917 837 597<br />

<strong>www</strong>.takinguthere.<strong>com</strong><br />

TakingUThere<br />

(TUT <strong>Travel</strong> Lda.)<br />

Portugal | Tour Company<br />

If you are planning to travel to Portugal and long for an unforgettable experience,<br />

TakingUThere has you covered.<br />

This innovative tour <strong>com</strong>pany <strong>com</strong>bines the best of two worlds: visit all of the<br />

famous landmarks and hot spots without missing out on some of the most<br />

exquisite, off-the-beaten-track, locations, virtually untouched by mass tourism.<br />

This is a unique travel experience that allows you to take your time immersing<br />

yourself in local life and culture.<br />

It helps that CEO and founder João Dickmann has been an avid traveller and<br />

seasoned off-road driver for 25 years. He and his team are passionate about<br />

sharing their knowledge and expertise in history, wine, culture, gastronomy, and<br />

nature, guiding travellers to remote and undiscovered places.<br />

His team consists of well-travelled wandering souls with vast amounts of<br />

experience and expertise under their belts. What unites everyone is their passion<br />

to show what Portugal and Morocco have to offer.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany owns a fleet of several<br />

vehicles that include modern cars<br />

to <strong>com</strong>fortable vans, as well as the<br />

classic Land Rover Discovery, for those<br />

necessary off-road escapes.<br />

Group size is always kept to a minimum<br />

to ensure the provision of a premium<br />

and relaxed tour service; there is no rush<br />

with TakingUThere!<br />

All you have to do is choose a trip that<br />

tickles your fancy- and there is so much<br />

to choose from!<br />

Get ready to be dazzled: from Portugal´s<br />

history, to discovering all major cities<br />

like Lisbon and Porto to the picturesque<br />

villages of Óbidos, Mafra, and Évora, just<br />

to name a few.<br />

Don’t forget, if you want a more exotic<br />

adventure, these can include taking<br />

you to the charming souks of Marrakesh<br />

until the magnificent landscapes of the<br />

Moroccan dessert!<br />

Private Exclusive trips to Morocco are<br />

also available by TakingUThere.


Setubal Top 5<br />

A<br />

coastal city that’s often overlooked<br />

in favour of its bigger neighbour<br />

Lisbon, Setubal is now making a name for<br />

itself. A perfect respite from the hustle and<br />

bustle of Lisbon, Setubal is easy to reach<br />

and never too overcrowded, although this<br />

could change in the <strong>com</strong>ing years.<br />

Amazing churches, museums, food,<br />

markets and nature reserves is just some<br />

of what this fishing town has to offer. We<br />

pick our top 5 things to do.<br />

4 – Drive (or hike) Serra da Arrabida Natural<br />

Park<br />

Located at the western outskirts of Setubal<br />

this large park protects the Serra da Arrabida<br />

mountain range and Maquis eco system. Park<br />

lines include 30km of coastline making the whole<br />

area perfect for a scenic coastal drive or hike to<br />

the end town of Sesimbra. There are several quiet<br />

beaches, panoramic cliff sides and picnic spots to<br />

enjoy along the way.<br />

5 – Learn about the local culture at the<br />

Casa da Baia<br />

A travel and hospitality awards winner from<br />

2019, the Casa da Baia is a fine attraction and<br />

the site of Setubal’s tourist office. The 18th<br />

century mansion has been converted into a<br />

cultural centre that stages local events as<br />

well showcasing regional produce such as<br />

wines, cheeses and sweets.<br />

3 – Enjoy the views at Castelo de Palmela<br />

A stunning castle nestled high up in the Arrabida range. The castle is<br />

a national monument and uniquely located between the river Tagus<br />

and Sado river estuaries. There are breath-taking views to be enjoyed<br />

in every direction. The Atlantic Ocean to the south west, lowlands to<br />

the north and vineyards to the east. There is also a historic hotel on<br />

site for those wishing to spend the night.


Av. Luísa Todi 59, 2900-460 Setúbal,<br />

Portugal<br />

Tel +351 265 400 119<br />

rmguesthouse.pt<br />

1 – Try the local Sea food<br />

Setubal is a coastal town famed for its fishing activities. Naturally,<br />

sea food is something of a specialty here and no trip to the city<br />

would be <strong>com</strong>plete without sampling a few dishes. We’d re<strong>com</strong>mend<br />

choc frito, deep fried cuttlefish with fries and the Bulhao Pato, clams<br />

with olive oil, garlic and white wine. Of course, the national staple of<br />

grilled sardines is big here too.<br />

RM Guesthouse<br />

Portugal | Guesthouse<br />

2 – Dolphin Watching<br />

The Sado Estuary is home to a pod of dolphins<br />

and the best way to see them is to go on a boat<br />

tour. Experienced operators will know where<br />

the dolphins like to hang out and tours are<br />

generally very informative. The dolphins are<br />

well looked after and protected, tour operators<br />

need to follow strict rules on how much time<br />

they take tracking these magnificent creatures.<br />

RM Guest House | The Experience is the realisation of a wish to create a unique<br />

place, redefining the ac<strong>com</strong>modation experience in Portugal.<br />

The seven exclusive suites are a reflection of fashion blended perfectly with detail<br />

and <strong>com</strong>fort. The restored wooden floors, Portuguese sheets and towels, paired<br />

with powerful espresso machines, create a cozy environment it is hard to leave.<br />

Every room has a name related to fashion icons, our way to pay tribute to making<br />

the world prettier.<br />

Custom made furniture, design pieces and even a yellow pig make this house your<br />

house. A place where you feel wel<strong>com</strong>e and in peace. Every guest is wel<strong>com</strong>ed<br />

with a toast of Moscatel de Setúbal, a sweet and delicious fortified wine, and with<br />

passionate hosts. Service is part of our DNA and our team goes above and beyond<br />

to showcase the best of our home.<br />

In sync with the seasons and nature’s rhythm, we have special programs to<br />

discover the best of the region at the best time. We are <strong>com</strong>mitted in offering a<br />

different experience, one you will never forget.


The Algarve<br />

The Algarve is home to some of the most beautiful<br />

natural landscapes in <strong>Europe</strong> and is a sanctuary<br />

for animal and bird life. Visitors can experience the<br />

landscape in a variety of ways, from walking along<br />

the popular marked trails, cycling the costal route,<br />

to birdwatching many rare species in their natural<br />

habitat whilst taking in the stunning views.<br />

<strong>Travel</strong>ling from the far west to the far east of the<br />

region, here are some popular activities to include on<br />

your next visit:<br />

The Vicentina Route runs along the rugged western<br />

coast of the region from Santiago do Cacém in the<br />

Alentejo to Sagres in the Algarve. The main attraction<br />

to this area is the natural beauty of its beaches and<br />

dramatic cliffs. An abundance of wildlife can also be<br />

found in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, where the<br />

stunning coastline framing the Atlantic Ocean offers<br />

a breathtaking backdrop. While the coastal trails<br />

are very scenic, so are the many paths that extend<br />

through fields and mountain ranges further into the<br />

interior, areas that have been generally overlooked by<br />

tourism.<br />

A popular and relatively easy walk that offers incredible views over coves, rock formations<br />

and stacks is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. It is particularly spectacular at sunset.<br />

The turquoise ocean against the warm-coloured cliffs creates the quintessential Algarvian<br />

seascape and one of the most rewarding and memorable walks along the sun-kissed<br />

coastline. Highlights include Alfanzina lighthouse, the Benagil and Carvalho beaches. The<br />

route runs from Praia da Marinha in the east to Praia de Vale Centeanes in the west.<br />

Bird watchers and nature lovers will love the Ria<br />

Formosa Nature Park just off the coast from Faro<br />

between the beaches of Ancão and Manta Rota. Best<br />

explored by boat or by walking, the nature park <strong>com</strong>prises<br />

of sand dunes, marsh lands, lagoons and fresh water<br />

lakes. Its diverse group of inhabitants includes birds,<br />

fish, mammals and amphibians. The park is famous for<br />

its bird watching, with many birds resting and feeding<br />

here during the winter months. One of the most popular<br />

species of bird that you can spot here is the Flamingo.<br />

Visitors love to take a ferry or boat over to one of the<br />

sand islands, some of which are deserted, to enjoy a day<br />

on the beach or for a seafood lunch.


Cyclists will love the Ecovia trail, a cycling<br />

route that runs along the Algarve coast<br />

stretching across 12 counties, over 214<br />

kilometers from Cape St. Vincent (Vila<br />

do Bispo) to Vila Real de Santo António.<br />

Using existing bike paths and roads of low<br />

traffic, cyclists can enjoy the magnificent<br />

landscapes along the Algarve coast, such<br />

as majestic cliffs and some of the most<br />

beautiful beaches in the world. This is<br />

a route that is mostly urban, where you<br />

can find multiple points of support, such<br />

as ac<strong>com</strong>modation, restaurants and bike<br />

shops.<br />

In the east of Algarve are the Wetlands of<br />

Sapal de Castro Marim, a natural habitat<br />

for a great number of animals including 153<br />

different species throughout the year. These<br />

include flamingos, storks, pied avocets,<br />

dunlins, sand plovers and redshanks. An<br />

invaluable environmental heritage, it is an<br />

outstanding site that provides shelter and<br />

breeding conditions for many species of<br />

molluscs, fish, reptiles, amphibians and<br />

crustaceans. In the surrounding drier<br />

and higher ground, birds predominate,<br />

particularly passerines and birds of prey.<br />

A trip to this part of Algarve can be <strong>com</strong>bined with a visit to<br />

the elegant town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio. The town has<br />

beautiful 18th century architecture and a lively cosmopolitan<br />

atmosphere.<br />

From here visitors often take a trip along the Guadiana<br />

River on one of the tour boats. You will glide through areas of<br />

pastureland, past cultivated fields, ancient remains, and small<br />

traditional white stoned towns up to Alcoutim. You will see<br />

houses with walls of schist or baked mud huddled together<br />

in hamlets lost among the hills. Even in mid-winter the region<br />

is beautiful as thousands of almond trees burst into pale pink<br />

blossom.


One of the joys of travelling<br />

is to sample the local cuisine,<br />

and in this respect the Algarve<br />

has much to offer. From simple<br />

lunches of grilled sardines on<br />

the quayside to Michelin star<br />

dining under the stars, there is<br />

something for everyone. To get<br />

an appreciation of the food from<br />

the region, and to understand<br />

the history and culture around<br />

food, there are some excellent<br />

eating /walking tours offered<br />

by Eating Algarve Tours. And<br />

to see how the local produce is<br />

made the tour <strong>com</strong>pany Algarve<br />

Treasures organises authentic<br />

and interesting visits to local<br />

producers such as olive oil<br />

mills, salt pans, wineries and<br />

distilleries.<br />

For more information visit <strong>www</strong>.algarvepromotion or <strong>www</strong>.<br />

algarvepromotion.pt (trade)<br />

Eating Algarve Food Tours https://eatingalgarvetours.<strong>com</strong>/en<br />

Algarve Treasures https://en.algarvetreasures.pt/


Algarve – Portugal Tel +316 8134 9460 <strong>www</strong>.casadalilasilves.<strong>com</strong><br />

Casa da Lila, Silves<br />

Portugal | Award for Excellence in Design<br />

Casa da Lila in the historic old town of Silves in southern Portugal (Algarve)<br />

is full of surprises. Hidden behind its modest traditional façade, you will<br />

find contemporary architecture and an exquisite interior. What at first appears<br />

to be a small single-storey house, turns out to be a spacious three-level home<br />

offering spectacular views across the city and the surrounding hills.<br />

Dating back to the 1950s, the decaying town house was almost <strong>com</strong>pletely rebuilt.<br />

The rooms on the garden side of all three levels open through large windows<br />

onto sun-drenched terraces. The ground floor houses the living room and<br />

kitchen as well as a multi-purpose room, which can also be used as a bedroom.<br />

A staircase of polished concrete leads down to a garden-level bedroom and a<br />

terrace with plunge pool and outdoor shower. An open wooden staircase leads<br />

up to another bedroom on the upper floor. The attached lounge-terrace features<br />

a small outdoor kitchen.<br />

A great deal of thought was put into<br />

Casa da Lila’s interior design. The handmade<br />

tiles and furnishings that include<br />

selected vintage pieces by renowned<br />

designers, the lighting design and<br />

impressive technological features: every<br />

detail has been carefully considered and<br />

artfully executed.<br />

Casa da Lila is a perfect destination for<br />

smaller groups who want to venture out<br />

during the day to explore all the beauty<br />

the Algarve has to offer, and to enjoy<br />

the sunset and spectacular views in the<br />

evening from one of the three terraces,<br />

holding a good glass of wine.


Carvoeiro Beach, Ticket Shop, Largo da Praia do<br />

Carvoeiro, 8400-517 Carvoeiro, Lagoa, Algarve<br />

Tel +351 965 041 785<br />

<strong>www</strong>.carvoeirocaves.<strong>com</strong><br />

CarvoeiroCaves ®<br />

Portugal | Cruise Company<br />

From the start point Praia do Carvoeiro,<br />

they sail along the coast, past charming<br />

places such as the “Eye windows” of “The<br />

Doll” with the famous rockformations of<br />

“Algar Seco”, the still operative “Alfanzina<br />

Lighthouse” as well as the wonderful white<br />

sandy beaches Vale Covo, Carvalho, the<br />

unique caves of Benagil and Spectatular<br />

arches of the World famous “Praia da<br />

Marinha”, resembling an elephant drinking<br />

water and considered one of the 100<br />

nicest beaches in the world.<br />

Carvoeiro’s caves are one of the most extrodinary places on earth. ,The<br />

Algar of Benagil has been widely considered the most beautiful natural<br />

cathedrals on the planet. Carved by the pounding waves that sweep in from the<br />

vast Atlantic Ocean. These caves were shaped around 20 million years ago.<br />

On CarvoeiroCaves boat tours along the Algarve coast you will find spectacular<br />

views to take photos of, you will experience the inside of fascinating caves built<br />

inside the imposing cliffs with idyllic secret beaches, where rock formations<br />

and sunlight streaming through openings create a stunning natural setting. In<br />

addition the contact with the ocean will unite you forever in a set of <strong>com</strong>bination<br />

of indescribable sensations, the effects of which are only possible when so close<br />

to nature.


Estrada de Santa Rita, nº36,<br />

Vila Nova de Cacela, Portugal<br />

Tel +00351 910 035 704<br />

<strong>www</strong>.conversasdealpendre.<strong>com</strong><br />

Conversas<br />

de Alpendre<br />

Portugal | Unique Bed & Breakfast<br />

Conversas de Alpendre is a magical place that offers luxury<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modation with a very home like feeling. This is a family dream <strong>com</strong>e<br />

true: Martha and James, your hosts, seized the opportunity to start this new<br />

venture based on the qualities of tranquillity and serenity of rural Portugal, and<br />

the result is nothing short of remarkable. The estate is simply vast, with clever<br />

use of interior design which <strong>com</strong>bines elements of simplicity and sophistication<br />

to create a sense of much-deserved relaxation.<br />

The uniquely charming standard suites are all spacious and airy with all modcons<br />

including a music column with Bluetooth connectivity. They share a<br />

<strong>com</strong>mon terrace projected into the garden where guests can enjoy views of<br />

the beautiful sunset. Their luxury suites with a private terrace make for an ideal<br />

romantic hideaway. Think watching the stars on a warm night sky from the<br />

<strong>com</strong>fort of your very own hot tub, sipping a glass of your favourite aperitif.<br />

The famous Tree House, perched on top<br />

of a carob tree, is hand-built entirely out of<br />

wood and is their most exclusive offering.<br />

It boasts breathtaking, panoramic views<br />

of the nearby countryside and a kingsize<br />

shower framed by the Ocean in the<br />

background.<br />

Each morning, guests are treated to a<br />

delicious breakfast filled with seasonal<br />

organic goodies. The hosts work closely<br />

with their neighbours to ensure that their<br />

produce is always fresh and only locally<br />

sourced. Once guests have had enough<br />

food and rest, the hosts are happy to<br />

provide a long list of things to do in the<br />

surrounding area.


Santarem<br />

Portugal’s Hidden Gem<br />

Santarem, also known as Portugal’s<br />

Gothic capital, is a district located in<br />

Central Portugal and home to the beautiful<br />

riverside town of Santarem. The old centre<br />

of is full of history, attractive architecture,<br />

monasteries and churches. As a lesser<br />

visited town, it’s never too crowded and<br />

perfect for a summer break.<br />

If you’re in town for only a day we re<strong>com</strong>mend a guided<br />

walking tour just to make sure you hit up all the local<br />

sights. If a tour isn’t your thing then don’t leave without<br />

at least exploring the Jardim das Portas do sol and the<br />

Santa Maria de Alcacova church.<br />

Given its location by the river, the town is the perfect<br />

place to go on a boat trip. This is a fantastic family friendly<br />

activity, where one can enjoy stunning views of the Tagus<br />

river, the natural landscape and local wildlife. Indeed, the<br />

area attracts bird watchers and photography enthusiasts.


Quinta das Chaminés, Apt.º 65,<br />

2050-909 Azambuja, Portugal<br />

Tel +00351 91 720 47 58<br />

<strong>www</strong>.ollem-turismo.<strong>com</strong><br />

Ollem Turismo<br />

Central Portugal | The Award for Excellence in Service<br />

If you are ever spending time in the town of Santarém, it is highly advisable<br />

to enlist the services of Ollem Boat Tours if you wish to explore the lesserknown<br />

beauty of the Tagus river. The longest river in the Iberian Peninsula.<br />

What started as an idea that began with the purchase of a beautiful boat<br />

suitable for 30 passengers, has now turned into a popular boat tour operation<br />

that recently won the Award for Excellence in Service. Run by the free spirit<br />

that is Madalena de Mello Viana, the service offers a selection of exclusive tours<br />

that allow passengers to get up close and personal with different aspects of<br />

the local culture and scenic nature. Madalena is a well-travelled expert with a<br />

background in tourism and hospitality and she has successfully <strong>com</strong>bined her<br />

passions of water, nature and boat cruising into an amazing adventure.<br />

There are four incredible tour options<br />

on offer, all of which guarantee an<br />

unforgettable experience. The famous<br />

Aveiro tour takes you back in time for<br />

a visit at two of the area’s most iconic<br />

villages with a stop for some traditional<br />

Portuguese grab. Take in the sundown<br />

rays during the Sunset tour and<br />

watch local birdlife in all its glory. Be a<br />

witness to an Equestrian baptism on<br />

the Portuguese Quinta. Or <strong>com</strong>pletely<br />

indulge in a wine-tasting cruise after<br />

visiting the famous local winery.


Spain<br />

Best time to visit<br />

Between April and October when<br />

the weather is good, some places<br />

are very seasonal but places like<br />

Barcelona are all year-round<br />

destinations.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Penedes; a beautiful wine<br />

growing region famed for its<br />

quaint villages, scenic views and<br />

high-quality wineries.<br />

Devoted to living<br />

the good life<br />

A dynamic country with an<br />

exciting past, unique in its<br />

diversity and centred around a<br />

relaxed way of life.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Andalusia<br />

2. Aragon<br />

3. Principality of Asturias<br />

4. Balearic Islands<br />

5. Basque Country<br />

How to get in<br />

Most major cities have an airport<br />

served internationally with the<br />

busiest being Madrid, Barcelona,<br />

Palma de Mallorca and Malaga.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Food Tour; Spain’s culinary scene<br />

is diverse and authentic. A tour<br />

with an expert is the best way to<br />

truly experience it all.<br />

6. Canary Islands<br />

7. Cantabria<br />

8. Castilla-La Mancha<br />

9. Castile and León<br />

10. Catalonia<br />

The best way in via train is<br />

through France, there is a highspeed<br />

connection between Paris<br />

and Barcelona. Driving in by<br />

road is easy from neighbouring<br />

Portugal and France.<br />

In association with<br />

Ferry services are available from<br />

the UK, Morocco, Algeria and<br />

Italy.


Barcelona<br />

The cradle of Catalan culture, amongst<br />

many other cultures and civilisations,<br />

and a witness to major transformations<br />

such as the Industrial Revolution or the<br />

Civil War amongst many others, Barcelona<br />

has a fascinating history.<br />

What’s over here? And a couple of streets<br />

over there? Wherever you are in Barcelona,<br />

there’s always something to see in the<br />

nearby neighbourhood or district: jewels<br />

of home-grown Catalan architecture,<br />

modernisme, and contemporary<br />

architecture, markets that are a treat<br />

for the senses, treasures of the ancient<br />

Roman and medieval city, parks where<br />

you can unwind … And the best thing of<br />

all is, you don’t have to be a great explorer<br />

to find and discover all of Barcelona’s<br />

neighbourhoods.<br />

Museums, exhibition centres, art<br />

galleries... The Barcelona’s cultural life is<br />

just as rich.<br />

Fun Activities for Families<br />

Barcelona also has fun activities for<br />

all the family! The city has countless<br />

plans to guarantee you won’t get bored,<br />

whether you’re a thrill-seeker who<br />

enjoys sailing, or a foodie or culture<br />

vulture. You can wander among sharks,<br />

stroke a dolphin, enjoy an adrenalinefuelled<br />

roller-coaster ride, eat as if you<br />

were at home, enjoy breathtaking views<br />

of Barcelona and the peace and quiet<br />

of its parks… there are endless plans for<br />

kids and adults. Although, the best thing<br />

would be to try to fit them all in.<br />

Dining in Barcelona<br />

If we’re talking about gastronomy<br />

in Barcelona, we shouldn’t fail to<br />

mention Catalan cuisine. Catalonia<br />

is a gastronomic paradise, where<br />

Catalan cuisine is a mouthwatering<br />

blend of heritage, produce, terroir,<br />

tradition, creativity, innovation… All<br />

of these things, together with an<br />

endless love of fine-dining culture,<br />

make discovering it with your palate a<br />

truly appealing option.<br />

Barcelona’s Markets<br />

You could also head to Barcelona’s buzzing markets. Barcelona’s markets<br />

are places where you can enjoy a lively, vibrant atmosphere in surroundings<br />

where the cries of the market’s stallholders and the daily bustle intermingle.<br />

Few cities in the world can boast a network such as that of Barcelona: 39<br />

food markets and 4 markets selling other goods form a unique heritage<br />

that should be maintained and preserved. The stalls are a showcase for a<br />

whole host of fresh produce. The Boqueria Market, on La Rambla, is one of<br />

Barcelona’s best-known markets, and has be<strong>com</strong>e a major landmark. It was<br />

named the world’s best food market at the Congress of the World Union of<br />

Wholesale Markets in Washington 2006.


Shopping in Barcelona<br />

Barcelona is a city that invites you to shop. Choose from a wealth<br />

of retail options that are part of the city’s distinctive identity as<br />

you wander through the attractive, historic surroundings of its<br />

neighbourhoods. Local, friendly shops with a Mediterranean<br />

spirit and a professional touch that will make your shopping a<br />

unique experience!<br />

One of the best places for it as the Barcelona shopping line. One<br />

of <strong>Europe</strong>’s largest retail areas situated among architectural<br />

landmarks that make it unbeatable and exclusive. Enjoy<br />

wandering and shopping in this amazing retail showcase that is<br />

open to everyone.<br />

Sports, Ahoy!<br />

Barcelona was fitter than ever for the 1992 Olympic<br />

Games. And it’s still in peak condition. This can be<br />

seen in international <strong>com</strong>petitions which attract<br />

thousands of people every year and the many<br />

facilities for golf, swimming, cycling and all kinds<br />

of sport. Barcelona has many memorable sporting<br />

venues which are steeped in Barcelona’s sporting<br />

history. Relive a world of thrills when you visit them.<br />

What’s more? Nearly every weekend, Barcelona, and its surrounding<br />

areas host thrilling <strong>com</strong>petitions, matches and championships.<br />

Choose the sport you like best and enjoy a ringside seat!<br />

Barcelona doesn’t stop: hockey, athletics, equestrian events, tennis,<br />

Formula 1… the list is spectacular. The Barcelona Sports programme<br />

promotes the main international sporting events held in the city<br />

which are described in detail in this calendar. Organise your time<br />

… you won’t want to miss a thing! Barcelona has many memorable<br />

sporting venues which are steeped in Barcelona’s sporting history.<br />

Relive a world of thrills when you visit them.<br />

Beaches of Barcelona<br />

Barcelona is synonymous with the Mediterranean and a timehonoured<br />

seafaring tradition dating back to Roman times. Barcelona<br />

has lived on the sea and for the sea. The sea has made it a crossroads<br />

of cultures; a fun, relaxing place where there’s room for everyone; a<br />

place with a wide range of resources, infrastructures and activities<br />

to suit people of all ages and backgrounds.<br />

If you enjoy sailing, water sports or just like to relax by the sea,<br />

Barcelona offers you all kinds of services and facilities so that<br />

you can enjoy your favourite activities while you admire the city’s<br />

coastline and beaches.


Barcelona, Address Spain Tel +34 627 Tel + 92 91 93 <strong>www</strong>.barcelonaholiday.es<br />

url<br />

Barcelona Holiday<br />

Costa Brava<br />

Spain | Destination Specialist<br />

Barcelona Holidays is a <strong>com</strong>pany that specialises in organising excellent<br />

one-day tours in and around the territory of Catalonia. This area is one of<br />

the finest in Spain and filled with exquisite contrast and variety. Visitors get the<br />

opportunity to experience an array of changing scenery: from stunning mountain<br />

peaks, to impressive cosmopolitan cities like Barcelona. Catalonia is famous for<br />

its ancient sites full of grand monuments reminiscent of bygone eras.<br />

The tours showcase the best this area has to offer. The experienced tour guides<br />

are professionals in the tourism industry. They are native to the area and therefore<br />

bring with them exeptional expertise. Discover the magnificence of Costa Brava,<br />

with its gorgeous coves and tranquil, blue beaches and visit the Greek-Roman ruins<br />

of Empuries. Or chose from a unique selection of private tours that cover different<br />

areas, including the Pyrenees, Andorra and Monumental Catalonia, amongst many<br />

others.


Spain Tel + url<br />

Lydia Sekuri<br />

Spain | Tour Guide<br />

Hello, I am Lydia from Barcelona Catalonia an experienced tour guide and<br />

driver.<br />

I own 2 private, 7 and 6 seater fully air-conditioned vans that make transportation<br />

around Barcelona city as well to other Catalan cities and sites easy and pleasant<br />

and without any extra transportation cost!<br />

I give only private tours of highest quality standards {you are not part of a bigger<br />

group} by sharing my knowledge in an engaging, illuminating and entertaining<br />

way, customizing my tours to the needs of each and every visitor, making your<br />

tours with me, one of your most unforgettable experiences.<br />

I am very informative, friendly, flexible, open to serendipity, passionate about my<br />

job that can be contagious and inspiring, and make the site really <strong>com</strong>e alive.<br />

As a local licensed guide, of course,<br />

you won’t get only the touristic<br />

sites but also the hidden treasures<br />

of my city and in all of Catalonia!<br />

My goal is to make you enjoy each<br />

and every moment with me. I<br />

am guiding around people with<br />

reduced mobility as well and lovely<br />

elder people with my cars.<br />

Barcelona is going to seduce you<br />

and you will agree with me that it is<br />

one of the top cities you have ever<br />

visited! Looking forward to seeing<br />

you!


Ibiza<br />

More than just<br />

a party town<br />

Ibiza has a long-held reputation as<br />

<strong>Europe</strong>’s premier night clubbing scene.<br />

The island attracts travellers from all over<br />

the world looking to party at the famous<br />

open-air clubs, beach raves, disco buses<br />

and the San Antonio strip.<br />

There is however so much more to Ibiza<br />

and times are changing. The island is home<br />

to world class beaches, a picturesque<br />

rugged landscape, fun water sports and<br />

adrenaline inducing adventure activities.<br />

We’ve put together a list of the best things<br />

to do on the island other than clubbing.<br />

Explore Dalt Vila<br />

Ibiza has rich tapestried history that goes<br />

as far back as the Romans, so it’s no<br />

surprise the island is home to numerous<br />

UNESCO world heritage sites. The pick<br />

of the bunch is the Ibiza old town known<br />

as Dalt Vila. The area is full of beautiful<br />

whitewashed buildings, cobblestone<br />

streets, cathedrals, castles and canons.<br />

If you’re in town during the second week<br />

of May then you’ll be able to join the<br />

Ibiza medieval fair, a four-day local event<br />

celebrating the towns history.<br />

Try some Water Sports<br />

Ibiza is surrounded by crystal clear<br />

tranquil waters, the ideal setting<br />

for water sports. Stand up paddle<br />

boarding, kayaking, snorkelling,<br />

flyboarding and water skiing are just<br />

some of the options on offer. Diving<br />

is a must and the marine life is<br />

exquisite. Whether you are beginner<br />

or experienced diver Ibiza will have<br />

something for you.<br />

Attempt to Cliff Jump<br />

Ibiza is made up of many rugged cliffs<br />

that are perfect for the adrenaline<br />

rush of a cliff jump. This one isn’t<br />

for the faint hearted but once you<br />

get over that first leap into the cool<br />

water below, you’ll want to go again.<br />

For first timers we re<strong>com</strong>mend Cala<br />

Tarida as the jump isn’t too high and<br />

it’s easy to find.


Enjoy a Cruise<br />

This one is a pleasant chilled out way<br />

to enjoy the beauty of Ibiza and the<br />

surrounding Mediterranean Sea. Whether<br />

it be on a private cruise or a group trip<br />

you’ll want to make sure you have a<br />

cold drink in your hand and when it gets<br />

too hot, of course you can always go<br />

for a swim in the sea. There are multiple<br />

options to choose from, full day trips, half<br />

day trips, beach hopping, cave tours and<br />

our favourite a sunset cruise.<br />

Go on a Road Trip<br />

Ibiza’s road network is extensive,<br />

clearly marked and well maintained<br />

so renting a car for a long drive is<br />

easy. There are numerous tree-lined<br />

back roads, charming villages and<br />

beautiful landscapes waiting to be<br />

explored.<br />

Hike in the mountains<br />

There are several hiking trails to explore on<br />

Ibiza and most aren’t too difficult. The hike to<br />

the top of Sa Talaia, the islands tallest point,<br />

is a straightforward uphill walk stretching<br />

only 2.4km. At the top you’ll get panoramic<br />

views of the whole island.<br />

A Day trip to Formentara<br />

Known as Ibiza’s chilled out<br />

neighbour, Formentara is only a<br />

five-mile ferry ride away. You’ll find<br />

pristine beaches, delicious food,<br />

bicycle trails and great souvenirs at<br />

the Mecat de la mola (a hippy art and<br />

flea market).


23, Local 11, Passeig Joan Carles I,<br />

07800 Eivissa, Illes Balears, Spain<br />

Tel +34 971 32 77 61<br />

<strong>www</strong>.maisondlux.<strong>com</strong><br />

Maison d’Lux<br />

Spain | Tailor Made Tour Company<br />

With an unparalleled knowledge of the<br />

island of Ibiza, and a wide network of<br />

suppliers and partners with whom they<br />

work, they go beyond ordinary customer<br />

satisfaction, constantly striving to<br />

surpass expectations by knowing their<br />

members well and anticipating their<br />

needs.<br />

Maison d’Lux should be your primary destination for luxury lifestyle<br />

management and concierge services in Ibiza.<br />

Based on the principle of an “haute couture” boutique club, Maison d’Lux offers<br />

the most <strong>com</strong>prehensive array of services available across the luxury sector.<br />

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, Maison d’Lux Personal and Corporate<br />

Memberships are flexible, allowing our Members to enjoy a personalised level of<br />

assistance that is relevant to their needs, tastes and style.<br />

From top-class ac<strong>com</strong>modation, entertainment, luxury real estate, business<br />

consultancy and investment opportunities, luxury cars, yachts and private<br />

jets, VIP access, personal chefs and assistance, excursions and adventure, the<br />

conscientious staff at Maison d’Lux take great pride and pleasure in providing its<br />

Members with a tailored, attentive service, all in the strictest confidence.


Santa Eulalia de Río - Pol. 13,<br />

Sa Rota Den Cosmi, Ibiza<br />

Tel +0034 971 336 943<br />

<strong>www</strong>.parramatta-ibiza.<strong>com</strong><br />

Parramatta<br />

Boutique Hotel<br />

Ibiza | Agroturismo<br />

Located only a short drive from the town of Santa Eulària des Riu on the<br />

east coast of Ibiza, Parramatta Boutique Hotel is an oasis of calm and<br />

serenity. Surrounded by carefully tended, beautiful green gardens, the hotel is<br />

a rare gem tucked away from the main crowded areas. Parramatta has been<br />

carefully restored to retain the original house structure and architecture of the<br />

past, giving the ac<strong>com</strong>modation a truly traditional feel.<br />

Rooms range from doubles to superior suites and are bright and spacious and<br />

equipped with all of the mod-cons including free WI-FI, hypo-allergenic bedding<br />

and free toiletries. They are elegantly designed in a smooth colonial style, with<br />

some rooms facing the enchanting garden. The <strong>com</strong>plex has a decent size<br />

18-meter swimming pool and there is even a SPA with sunbeds and option for<br />

massage treatments. There are also child-friendly facilities such as cots and<br />

toys.<br />

There is a delicious breakfast available at<br />

the property and the owners take pride<br />

in their very own olive oil production.<br />

The surrounding area is ideal for hiking<br />

or cycling and there are many options<br />

for lunch and dinner with plenty of<br />

restaurants and bars in the vicinity.<br />

The host is extremely approachable and<br />

available to answer any questions and<br />

provide guidance that will make your<br />

stay even more memorable. She can<br />

help with booking transport or renting a<br />

car and even help you make reservations<br />

at some of the best restaurants in town.<br />

Positive vibes and ultimate relaxation are<br />

guaranteed during a stay at Parramatta.


Italy<br />

Best time to visit<br />

Italy is an all year-round<br />

destination.<br />

How to get in<br />

Airports in Rome, Milan, Venice,<br />

Turin, Palermo, Naples and<br />

Catania are all well served<br />

internationally.<br />

Direct trains are available from<br />

Austria, France, Germany, Spain,<br />

and Switzerland. Driving in is a<br />

good option, roads lead in from<br />

all neighbouring states.<br />

Ferry in remains a popular choice<br />

for travellers and are available<br />

from Albania, Croatia, France,<br />

Malta, Montenegro, Spain and<br />

Slovenia.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Bologna, the historic capital of<br />

Emilia Romagna, this city offers<br />

much in the way of history,<br />

architecture and most important<br />

of all food.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Bicycle tour, Italy is beautiful<br />

country and best enjoyed on<br />

nice leisurely countryside bike<br />

ride.<br />

A World Heritage Country<br />

Beaches to the south, mountains to the<br />

north, authentic food, passionate locals,<br />

a deep-rooted history, a diverse culture<br />

and stunning architecture.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Abruzzo<br />

2. Aosta Valley<br />

3. Apulia<br />

4. Basilicata<br />

5. Calabria<br />

6. Campania<br />

7. Emilia-Romagna<br />

8. Friuli-Venezia Giulia*<br />

9. Lazio<br />

10. Liguria<br />

11. Lombardia<br />

12. Marche<br />

13. Molise<br />

14. Piemonte<br />

15. Sardinia<br />

16. Sicily<br />

17. Trentino-South Tyrol<br />

18. Tuscany<br />

19. Umbria<br />

20. Veneto


Italy Tel +551 258 3955 <strong>www</strong>.thebluewalk.<strong>com</strong><br />

The Blue Walk<br />

Italy | Walking Tour Company<br />

While many tour <strong>com</strong>panies offer tried and tested experiences of the same<br />

historical and architectural places of interest, The Blue Walk offers<br />

something a little different. Established in 2011, the people behind the <strong>com</strong>pany<br />

have a huge passion for sharing unique, authentic experiences, allowing visitors<br />

to immerse themselves in scenic landscapes that seem refreshingly otherworldly.<br />

The Blue Walk tour <strong>com</strong>pany offers a meditative experience and an opportunity<br />

to soak in the people, culture and sheer beauty of undiscovered locations. Guests<br />

can enjoy well-paced and leisurely walks along the beautiful coastlines of major<br />

<strong>Europe</strong>an countries such as France, Spain, Italy and Greece. The underlying idea<br />

here isn’t to rush through but to genuinely slow down and surrender to the magic<br />

of the present moment, underneath the clear blue skies and surrounded by<br />

serene Mediterranean landscapes. Every single detail is taken care of, including<br />

upscale ac<strong>com</strong>modation in gorgeous boutique hotels.<br />

For an even more exceptional<br />

experience, The Blue Walk offers<br />

themed tours based on your preference.<br />

If you are an avid artist, you will love one<br />

of the Art Workshop vacations. Teachers<br />

throughout <strong>Europe</strong> take on students of<br />

all levels and help them cultivate their<br />

creative side. This is an excellent way<br />

to meet other likeminded individuals<br />

on your travels and the Artwalks are<br />

hugely successful, with many guests<br />

returning time and time again. It is no<br />

coincidence that the <strong>com</strong>pany was<br />

voted best walking tour <strong>com</strong>pany by<br />

the <strong>Travel</strong> & <strong>Hospitality</strong> <strong>Awards</strong> in<br />

<strong>2020</strong>!


Campania<br />

Off the Beaten Path<br />

Campania has long been a tourist<br />

hotspot. This unique region of<br />

Italy is famed for the stunning Amalfi<br />

coast, renowned city of Naples,<br />

town of Salerno, the ruins of Pompei,<br />

wineries and so much more. In fact,<br />

the area is so popular it suffers from<br />

overcrowding especially during the<br />

summer months. Here are some<br />

places you can get away to and avoid<br />

the crowds.<br />

Astroni Nature Reserve<br />

A large park on the site of a volcanic<br />

crater, under the special protection<br />

of the WWF. The park provides a great<br />

family day out, it’s home to forested<br />

paths, dinosaur statues, picnic tables<br />

and plenty of local wildlife.<br />

Casina Vanvitelliana<br />

A private hunting lodge built on a tiny<br />

islet on Lake Fusaro. It’s connected to<br />

the mainland by a wooden bridge and<br />

surrounded by a pleasant park. Today<br />

the building is a museum and offers a<br />

great cultural experience.<br />

Gaiola Island<br />

A minor island located just off the Posillipo quarter of Naples. Small<br />

and beautifully formed, this Island is said to be cursed with many of<br />

the previous owners facing hardship shortly after buying it. Today it’s<br />

under the control of the local authority. Those brave enough to ignore<br />

the curse can reach the island via a short swim from the mainland.<br />

Padula<br />

A so called “hidden town” of Campania, Padula is often overlooked<br />

and not so easily accessible by public transport. If you can make it up<br />

there you are in for a treat, there is a beautiful monastery to explore,<br />

churches and squares as well breath-taking views of the surrounding<br />

mountains. Hidden towns like Padula are authentic, wel<strong>com</strong>ing and are<br />

worth exploring.<br />

Paestum<br />

Located south of Salerno, Paestum is home to the ruins of an ancient<br />

Greek city. The ruins are famous for three Greek temples which have<br />

been remarkably well preserved despite abandonment for centuries. The<br />

site also includes sacrificial alters, a roman forum, buildings and roads.


Amalfi coast, Italy Tel +39 331 6109183 <strong>www</strong>.dolcevitalimousine.<strong>com</strong><br />

Dolce Vita Limousine<br />

(di Cuomo Marco)<br />

Campania, Italy | Tailor Made Tour Company<br />

<strong>Travel</strong> in style and the utmost luxury during your trip to the famous Amalfi<br />

coast. Dolce Vita Limousine service is at your disposal. They can simply<br />

pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel and drop you back to<br />

the airport when it’s time to depart. Their service also offers a selection of<br />

guided tours of the Amalfi coast area, tailored to your requirements and you are<br />

guaranteed to have a once in a lifetime experience with them.<br />

The owner Marco was born on the coast and has a deep passion for his home<br />

and takes much pleasure in providing for his customers and aiming for maximum<br />

satisfaction. He and his staff have extensive knowledge of the surrounding area<br />

and can, therefore, offer expert advice.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany proudly owns a full line<br />

of luxury Mercedes vehicles that can fit<br />

between 3 and 9 passengers. With an<br />

elegant interior design and ample space<br />

for your <strong>com</strong>fort, riding in one of their<br />

limos is a smooth, gratifying experience.<br />

Their limos are equipped with fast WiFi,<br />

as well as high-resolution monitors, sure<br />

to keep you and the kids busy<br />

They offer tours of some of the most<br />

magnificent cities in Italy including Rome,<br />

Napoli and Florence and of course the<br />

beloved Amalfi coast. The tours can be<br />

<strong>com</strong>bined with sightseeing, lunch and<br />

shopping as well as wine tasting at local<br />

wineries. For a more cultural experience,<br />

we’d be glad to show you some of the<br />

famous historical sites of the country<br />

including the ruins of Pompei and<br />

UNESCO listed Herculaneum.


Greece<br />

Best time to visit<br />

Between March and<br />

September, when the sun is<br />

shining.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Santorini, a picture-perfect<br />

Island<br />

Go Greek or<br />

Go Home!!<br />

Greece is the perfect summer<br />

holiday destination. Beautiful<br />

beaches, encapsulating history,<br />

delicious food, fun hotels and<br />

great people, need we say more.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Attica<br />

2. Central Greece<br />

3. Central Macedonia<br />

How to get in<br />

Cheap flights are available<br />

from most major <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />

and international airports. A<br />

ferry is a possibility if you are<br />

traveling from Turkey or Italy<br />

Must do activity<br />

Boat Tour. Whether in a group<br />

or private charter you won’t<br />

be disappointed with a trip<br />

on the waters, especially at<br />

sunset.<br />

4. Crete<br />

5. Eastern Macedonia and Thrace<br />

6. Epirus<br />

7. Ionian Islands<br />

8. North Aegean<br />

9. Peloponnese<br />

10. South Aegean<br />

11. Thessaly<br />

12. Western Greece<br />

13. Western Macedonia


Greek Sailing Holiday<br />

Things to Consider<br />

Greece is a country with an extensive<br />

coastline, the Greek archipelago is made up<br />

of thousands of islands with over 200 that<br />

are inhabited, all spread over the Aegean,<br />

Ionian and Mediterranean seas. Naturally<br />

this has led to Greece be<strong>com</strong>ing a global<br />

hub for sailing holidays.<br />

Exploring by boat is considered one of the<br />

best ways of exploring the Greek islands.<br />

There is a unique sense of freedom to this<br />

type of trip, you can plan your routes as you<br />

wish and stop when you want.<br />

Skippered, Bareboat or Flotilla?<br />

When planning a sailing trip, you’ll be<br />

presented with 3 main options a skippered<br />

boat, a bareboat or flotilla. A skippered<br />

boat is one that you rent that <strong>com</strong>es with<br />

either a captain or a captain and a whole<br />

crew that may include a chef, butler and<br />

organiser. A bareboat trip on the other<br />

hand is when you only rent the boat and<br />

sail independently. A flotilla is kind of in the<br />

middle of the two, it’s when you rent a boat<br />

to sail yourself but in the <strong>com</strong>pany of other<br />

boats all led by an experienced lead crew.<br />

A skippered sailing trip is perfect<br />

if you wish to travel alone without<br />

the pressures of running a vessel<br />

yourself. You can set your own<br />

course and liaise with a captain on<br />

what you’d like to do. Captains are<br />

multilingual and can organise water<br />

sport activities, things to do on<br />

the islands and meals. On average<br />

skippers cost about an extra 1000<br />

euros per week.<br />

A bareboat trip does offer the same<br />

benefits as a skippered one except<br />

you will be in <strong>com</strong>plete control.<br />

Previous sailing experience and<br />

licences are necessary, and it helps<br />

to have some prior knowledge of the<br />

local islands and key spots. This trip<br />

is the most discreet and offers total<br />

freedom on the seas.<br />

Flotilla holidays offer a more sociable<br />

approach and an opportunity to<br />

enjoy a more <strong>com</strong>munal Greek<br />

island experience. Flotillas can<br />

be specialised into food and wine<br />

flotillas or adults only flotillas. Flotillas<br />

offer a great opportunity to learn<br />

how to sail while in the <strong>com</strong>pany of<br />

an experience lead crew. If that’s not<br />

your thing you can even hire a skipper<br />

for the duration of your trip. These<br />

trips however are on a set course so<br />

don’t offer the flexibility and freedom<br />

of bareboat and skippered trips.


Choosing the Right Vessel<br />

There are several types of vessels for you<br />

to consider when planning your trip. This<br />

is heavily dependent on factors such as<br />

the number of people in your party, time<br />

available and the distance that needs<br />

to be covered. Common options include<br />

monohull boats, catamarans, motorboats<br />

and Gulets.<br />

Monohull and catamarans sailboats are<br />

great for a classic sailing experience.<br />

Catamarans are bigger than monohull<br />

boats, but both are ideal for small groups<br />

and those interested in spending time<br />

swimming in the sea.<br />

A motorboat on the other hand is better for<br />

covering the largest distance in the shortest<br />

time, and perfect for those not interested<br />

in sailing as a sport. Motorboats tend to be<br />

more relaxing and allow for more time to<br />

be spent on activities on board the boat.<br />

A luxury yacht offers all the same benefits<br />

of a motorboat but with much more in the<br />

way of space, amenities, décor, crew and<br />

activities. These vessels are suited to big<br />

groups with large budgets.<br />

If you need a lot of space and are travelling in a large group than a gulet may be for you. A gulet is a traditional wooden<br />

sailing boat that’s much bigger than a monohull or catamaran vessel. Gulets are spacious and have huge open decks<br />

but require a full crew. With a gulet you’ll still be able to enjoy sailing as a sport but will need help as it’s too big a vessel<br />

to man alone.


Vlychada, Santorini, Cyclades, Greece Tel +30 6932 735 521 <strong>www</strong>.angelsailing.gr<br />

Angel Sailing<br />

Santorini<br />

Greece | Unique Experience<br />

Santorini will take your breath away! It is on the top position of numerous lists<br />

for the most beautiful natural destinations in the world! Adding into this the<br />

picturesque traditional whitewashed buildings with blue domes and windows,<br />

its spectacular sunsets and amazing beaches make this a dream island for any<br />

explorer!<br />

Angel Sailing Santorini has been offering luxurious and unique tours around<br />

the famous Caldera of the island since 2016. Get ready to experience, from a<br />

unique viewpoint, its rugged coastline, blue waters and some hidden treasures<br />

with the personal attention and 15 years of experience, navigating the oceans,<br />

of the <strong>com</strong>pany’s Founder and merchant marine Master Mariner, George and<br />

overall team!<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany’s 44ft-long yacht hosts<br />

up to 8 passengers, thus keeping group<br />

numbers to a minimum while offering<br />

maximum coziness and pleasure to the<br />

guests. It <strong>com</strong>bines ultimate <strong>com</strong>fort,<br />

high performance and safety standards.<br />

The itineraries are also carefully drafted to<br />

include uncrowded locations, therefore<br />

ensuring tranquility and peace of mind<br />

during your journey, while making sure<br />

to hit all the popular sights.<br />

Choose your tours between two main<br />

categories: semi-private and private.<br />

Semi-private tours can cater for up to<br />

eight passengers. This type of tours<br />

is ideal if you would like to join a small<br />

group on a big sailing adventure!<br />

Through the private tours, you can<br />

have the yacht to yourself, alongside<br />

the crew. An ideal selection for your<br />

special occasions - such as birthdays or<br />

honeymoons.<br />

All tours are customizable to varying<br />

durations and an array of amazing places<br />

to discover!


Loggos Paxos 49082, Paxos Greece Tel +30 6976775439 <strong>www</strong>.panosboatsandtrips.<strong>com</strong><br />

Panos Boats & Trips<br />

Greece | Boat Hire Company & Boat Tour of the Year<br />

Staff at Panos Boats & Trips take their job very seriously, not least because<br />

they have spent most their lives roaming the waters of the beautiful Ionian<br />

Sea. They are excellent sailors, experienced in navigating the surrounding area<br />

and full of knowledge about secret spots and hideouts. They guarantee a stressfree<br />

boat rental, tailormade to your needs.<br />

Boating on the coast requires proper strong boats with a good hull to ensure a<br />

<strong>com</strong>fortable journey and the <strong>com</strong>pany has a decent fleet that ensures optimum<br />

performance.<br />

They offer pick up arrangements that suit your needs, be that <strong>com</strong>ing to collect<br />

you by boat from your local bay or drive you to the nearest departure point. Then<br />

spend as many days as you wish to explore magnificent caves, swimming in the<br />

pristine, Mediterranean waters and even watching dolphins dancing in the open<br />

ocean.<br />

This is by far the best way to see Paxos<br />

and the <strong>com</strong>pany keeps the groups<br />

small (or private) making this an intimate<br />

and unforgettable experience. Safety<br />

is paramount and everyone is given an<br />

hour-long book and video training before<br />

you actually go on the water including<br />

use of safety equipment and instructions<br />

on how to moor the boat safely if you<br />

choose to sail without a skipper.<br />

Paxos, the smallest of the seven<br />

Ionian islands is also one of the most<br />

beautiful ones. Crystal-clear blue waters<br />

surrounding the land and the fact that<br />

this island preserves the unhurried<br />

pace of a traditional Greek village, make<br />

this a popular choice for those seeking<br />

tranquillity- and it is best explored by<br />

boat.


Athens An<br />

Underrated Capital<br />

Athens is sometimes an overlooked<br />

capital of <strong>Europe</strong>, despite<br />

the numerous heritage sites, great<br />

restaurants and excellent weather it’s can<br />

be missed by many holiday makers. This<br />

could be attributed to the draw of some<br />

of its <strong>Europe</strong>an counterparts such as<br />

London, Paris, Istanbul and Rome. Visitors<br />

from outside <strong>Europe</strong> with limited time and<br />

money tend to miss Athens in favour of<br />

these cities. The second reason is that<br />

it has a lot of touristic <strong>com</strong>petition on a<br />

national level. Greece is full of beautiful<br />

islands, sandy beaches, luxury resorts<br />

and historical sites that are all increasingly<br />

accessible through cheap package<br />

holidays. Destinations like Corfu, Crete,<br />

Santorini, Rhodes, Zante and Kefalonia<br />

are usually preferred to Athens. We believe<br />

you should add Athens to your travel list,<br />

and here are four reasons why.<br />

The Nightlife<br />

Athens is a city that never sleeps, and its nightlife<br />

scene is amongst the best in <strong>Europe</strong>. It should<br />

tell you everything when residents of the city<br />

successfully beat a proposal to close all clubs early<br />

(2am). Athenians love to party and tourists to the<br />

city are invited. Popular clubs are Island in Varkiza,<br />

Bolivar beach bar in Kalamaki and Dybbuk bar in<br />

Syntagma.<br />

The Food<br />

The food in Athens is as good as on any of the Greek islands. The<br />

quality of local produce is high, the approach is authentic and<br />

the price fair. The seafood, mezzes and souvlakis will leave you<br />

wanting more. If you want to get the best of everything a food<br />

tour is be the best way to go.


Veikou 27-29, Koukaki, 11742,<br />

Athens – Greece<br />

Tel +30 2130275478<br />

<strong>www</strong>.letsbooktravel.eu<br />

The Price<br />

The financial crisis in Greece has meant that costs for goods in the city have remained low. Food, drink, clothes and<br />

alcohol are cheap in <strong>com</strong>parison to other major <strong>Europe</strong>an cities. This <strong>com</strong>bined with cheap flights means Athens makes<br />

for a superb low-cost city break.<br />

Let’s Book <strong>Travel</strong><br />

Greece | Innovative Tour Company<br />

The History<br />

If there is one thing Athens is known for is its history. A city that has been lived in thousands<br />

of years and was once at the heart of an ancient empire is not without its heritage sites.<br />

The city is famed for the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon. Other great sites are the temple of<br />

Hephaestus, Agios Georgios Church and Odeon of Herodes Atticus.<br />

With experience of over 10 years in the tourism industry, we created Let’s Book<br />

<strong>Travel</strong>.<br />

We <strong>com</strong>e from Greece, the country where tourism and the idea of Xenios Zeus, the<br />

patron of hospitality (Xenia) and guests, the avenger of wrongs done to strangers<br />

was born. Greeks are well known for their hospitality and their warm wel<strong>com</strong>e.<br />

Therefore, true to those ideals, we wish to provide our customers with the best and<br />

most <strong>com</strong>plete variety of tours and experiences.<br />

Whether you decide to book a tour with us or a ferry ticket for the islands, our<br />

dedicated team will assist you before, during, and after the booking. Our aim is not<br />

just “sales” or “clients.” We are happy to be of service and you can also contact us<br />

just to request information for trips or destinations in Greece. All you need is a ticket.


90 Dimitriou Gounari Str, Marousi,<br />

15124 Greece<br />

Tel +30 211 100 2370<br />

<strong>www</strong>.legendaryrides.eu<br />

Motorcycle Legendary<br />

Rides Greece<br />

Greece | Adventure Tour Company<br />

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast who loves riding through scenic landscapes<br />

and exploring historical sites, Legendary Rides is just the place for you. Join<br />

their Officially Certified Premium Tours and Rentals of Indian motorcycles and see<br />

for yourself the uniqueness of Greece’s picturesque nature and world-renowned<br />

hospitality.<br />

Indian Motorcycles have a very rich history of innovation and Legendary Rides<br />

offer you a choice of head turning models. All of their Chieftains exude the<br />

vintage vibe this range is known for. While their Sixty Scout, with its iconic style,<br />

is an excellent beginner bike if you are just getting started. Their models <strong>com</strong>e<br />

with top-notch equipment and functions including Ride Command Infotainment<br />

System and keyless ignition.<br />

Their popular guided packages offer 4<br />

<strong>com</strong>prehensive routes lasting anywhere<br />

between three and nine days. Itineraries<br />

include riding through the gigantic<br />

breath-taking monumental rocks of<br />

Meteora and exploring the rich ancient<br />

culture of Peloponissos. These are<br />

fantastic if you prefer everything to<br />

be taken care off from the start. They<br />

arrange ac<strong>com</strong>modation in 4 star hotels<br />

(wherever available), guides, meals and<br />

other miscellaneous essentials, so you<br />

have nothing to worry about. Just sit<br />

back and ride. Private guided tours for<br />

you and your friends, on your selected<br />

dates, can also be arranged.<br />

If you prefer to explore the country on<br />

your own, they can also help you carefully<br />

plan your route in order to maximise<br />

your enjoyment. They have plenty of<br />

suggestions, including dos and don’ts,<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modation to suit your budget and<br />

they are able to answer any questions<br />

you might have that will make your solo<br />

adventure an unforgettable experience.


Greece<br />

Evdimal Luxury<br />

Group of Companies<br />

Greece | Chauffeur Company<br />

Athens<br />

Evdimal Luxury Group of Companies is the leading luxury Company of Greece!<br />

Evdimal Luxury Group of Companies consists of Airport Limos Greece providing<br />

limousine services. Concierge Greece providing concierge services, as well as<br />

Alezia Villas, a group of luxury villas in Mykonos Island.<br />

With 30 years of experience in professional luxury services, Evdimal provides<br />

distinctive, high quality, professional services and caters to their customers’<br />

every individual need.<br />

Evdimal is located at Athens city center Syntagma sq, Karagiorgi Servias 12-14,<br />

with a branch office in Mykonos Island.


Zante<br />

Zante, officially known as Zakynthos<br />

(Zante is the more <strong>com</strong>mon Italian<br />

name), is one of Greece’s most popular<br />

islands. It’s a <strong>com</strong>mon summer destination<br />

for many <strong>Europe</strong>ans. Zante offers much in<br />

the way of beautiful beaches, water sports<br />

and history.<br />

Navagio beach, with its turquoise waters,<br />

is picture perfect, the surrounding high<br />

cliffs means it’s secluded from the rest of<br />

the Island and only reachable by boat. The<br />

resort of Laganas has an amazing 9km<br />

long beach with shallow waters that’s<br />

recognised as one of the few places you<br />

can see the endangered Caretta-Caretta<br />

turtles.<br />

Water sports enthusiasts won’t be<br />

disappointed in what Zante has to offer. Jet<br />

skiing, jet packs, scuba diving, snorkelling,<br />

wake boarding, fly fishing and kayaking are<br />

just some of the activities the island has to<br />

offer. Our favourite would have to be stand<br />

up paddle boarding offered by <strong>Travel</strong> and<br />

<strong>Hospitality</strong> award winner stand up paddle<br />

surf Zante, profiled on the following page.<br />

Like any other part of Greece,<br />

Zante has its fair share of historical<br />

and cultural sites. The Byzantine<br />

museum of Zakynthos and Church<br />

of St Dionsyios are both located in<br />

Zakynthos town (the capital) and are<br />

easy to reach. Further afield you can<br />

find the monastery of St Denis near<br />

Volimes, the Venetian tower near Exo<br />

Chora and Sarakina house close to<br />

the town of Mouzaki.<br />

Nefis <strong>Travel</strong>, a travel and hospitality<br />

award winner profiled in this chapter,<br />

are more than happy to wel<strong>com</strong>e you<br />

the island and organise tours to any<br />

of the beaches and historical sights.


Alykes Beach,<br />

29090 Zakynthos Island, Greece<br />

Tel +306948002870<br />

<strong>www</strong>.paddlesurfzante.<strong>com</strong><br />

Stand Up Paddle<br />

Surf Zante<br />

Greece | Adventure Activity<br />

Paddle Surf Zante have a team of experts passionate about teaching<br />

you all you need to know to make the most of stand-up paddleboarding.<br />

Whether you are a <strong>com</strong>plete beginner or simply need a little extra help mastering<br />

the techniques. They offer private group lessons as well as scheduled public<br />

group lessons and even private 1:1 tuition. They cover everything from ocean<br />

safety to proper stance and how to stroke and turn effectively.<br />

They strongly re<strong>com</strong>mend joining one of their many guided tours and get fitter<br />

by taking in the stunning scenery the beautiful island has to offer. Their location<br />

at Alykes beach is the perfect spot for witnessing the famous Caretta Careta<br />

Turtles in their natural habitat. Enjoy the beauty of the sunrise over Ionian<br />

Sea from your paddleboard or watch the sun slowly sink behind the hills and<br />

experience the water at night as it <strong>com</strong>es to life with LED lights strapped to your<br />

board.<br />

Choose their romantic full moon tours or<br />

opt for one of their many coastline tours<br />

and immerse yourself in the crystalclear<br />

waters of the Ionian Sea. Have a<br />

swim in healthy water at Xigia Beach,<br />

where collagen and sulphur pour down<br />

from the mountain into the sea.<br />

Paddle to one of the best beaches in the<br />

world, the Navagio Shipwreck beach,<br />

where vestiges of the ship can be seen<br />

in middle of the large white sandy beach.<br />

Their customers always remain highly<br />

satisfied and they are the proud winners<br />

of this year’s <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong><br />

<strong>Awards</strong> for best Adventure Activity!


Varres Post box 700,<br />

Planos 291 00, Greece<br />

Tel +30 2695 048004<br />

<strong>www</strong>.nefis-travel.<strong>com</strong><br />

Nefis <strong>Travel</strong> –<br />

Private Day Tours<br />

Greece | Private Tour Company<br />

Nefis <strong>Travel</strong>, a name with a story… Nefeli was the most beautiful nymph in<br />

Greek mythology, so pure that Zeus hid her in the clouds so that nobody<br />

could steal her innocence. Nefos means cloud in Ancient Greek. The philosophy<br />

of Nefis <strong>Travel</strong> is to share and treasure the beautiful hidden jewels of Zante with<br />

you, the visitor.<br />

It was nearly 12 years ago that the vocal singer, and storytelling guide, Jackie<br />

Boots, had a wish and vision. After many years working for major tour <strong>com</strong>panies<br />

she wanted to offer different types of tours, more personal, with smaller groups,<br />

eco friendly, interaction with the locals and to be able to create the highest<br />

costumer service. She <strong>com</strong>bined her wealth of experience as a tour guide with<br />

her passion for Greek culture, theatre, music and mythology to create distinctive<br />

quality VIP private and group tours. Encouraged by the support of their satisfied<br />

guests and their beautiful feedback over<br />

the years, Nefis <strong>Travel</strong> made it through<br />

the Greek crisis and are still going<br />

strong. Jackie created a professional,<br />

passionate and enthusiastic team of<br />

people around her and became the<br />

leading tour <strong>com</strong>pany on Zakynthos,<br />

which offers not only an experience<br />

of the traditional Zakynthian culture,<br />

history and way of life but also avoids<br />

the crowds with outstanding excursions.<br />

If you’re travelling to Zakynthos, make<br />

sure Nefis <strong>Travel</strong> is on your wish list, they<br />

will ensure that your holiday is filled with<br />

enchanted and fun memories that will<br />

last a lifetime.


Kefalonia<br />

Unspoilt Kefalonia is one of the most picturesque and<br />

naturally beautiful resort Islands in Greece. Considered<br />

a late entrant to the tourist scene in <strong>com</strong>parison to its<br />

better-known neighbours Zante and Corfu, the island is<br />

now getting in the recognition it deserves. Kefalonia is has<br />

be<strong>com</strong>e recognised for its lush forests, majestic mountains,<br />

superb beaches and beautiful waters. In 1953 an earthquake<br />

destroyed most buildings so a lot of the towns on the<br />

island lack that authentic and traditional feel you might find<br />

elsewhere in the country however the natural beauty of the<br />

island more than makes up for this. If you’re keen on a chilled<br />

holiday in an idyllic setting, then Kefalonia is the place for you.<br />

Getting into Kefalonia is simple, the island home to a small<br />

international airport near the capital Argostoli however it can<br />

get a little crowded during the high season. Another popular<br />

way to get in is via the ferries, there are routes between Italy<br />

and mainland Greece.<br />

On Kefalonia you will find many fantastic resort towns to<br />

choose from for you holiday. The capital Argostoli is always<br />

buzzing and has a vibrant night life scene. Lassi and Skala are<br />

popular with those looking for a more traditional beach stay.<br />

Faskardo is the only village left standing following the 1953<br />

earthquake, it retains that Greek charm and authenticity.<br />

The landscape of Kefalonia is pristine. Beaches,<br />

whether they be sand or pebble, are magnificent<br />

and well maintained. Myrtos beach with its<br />

turquoise waters and surrounding high cliffs is<br />

considered the best on the island. If mountains<br />

are more your scene then you need not worry,<br />

the Ainos mountain range will suffice. There are<br />

plenty of hiking routes, semi-wild horses to see<br />

and the peak, Megas Soros, is 1628 metres high.<br />

The mountain is covered with a lush forest of<br />

Kefalonia fir, unique to the island.<br />

When it <strong>com</strong>es to food the islands of the Ionian Sea have their<br />

own traditions that vary from the rest of Greece and Kefalonia is<br />

no different. A local speciality is a rich and hearty Kefalonian meat<br />

pie that can contain up to three types of meat. With all the coastal<br />

towns, fresh sea food is always available and delicious. The local<br />

wine, Robola, is a tasty white wine that is widely available. It’s one<br />

of the islands biggest exports. Ac<strong>com</strong>modation wise Kefalonia has<br />

it all. From luxury resorts and villas to small locally owned guest<br />

houses and sea view apartments. Two-time travel and hospitality<br />

award winner Volidiera guest house is our pick of the bunch and<br />

profiled next page.


Chavdata, Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece Tel +30 26710 95158 <strong>www</strong>.volidieraguesthouse.<strong>com</strong><br />

Volidiera Guesthouse<br />

Greece | Guesthouse<br />

Located 5km from Lixouri in the village of Havdata, Volidiera Guest House<br />

is a beautiful <strong>com</strong>plex that consists of eight separate rooms of varying sizes<br />

and unique design styles.<br />

The estate is surrounded by a beautiful olive tree grove, giving it the ultimate<br />

Mediterranean touch.<br />

Their rooms have a definite vintage feel, featuring traditional elements <strong>com</strong>bined<br />

with modern details. Big double rooms with spacious verandas, a roomy<br />

maisonette with a cute, wooden loft for your sleeping area, large rooms with<br />

panoramic views of the nearby bay, your choice is vast. It’s easy to see why they<br />

were selected as the <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> Award Winner for the most Stylish<br />

Guest House for 2019!<br />

They have their own garden full of fresh,<br />

seasonal vegetables and herbs. Guests<br />

are wel<strong>com</strong>e to pick whatever they wish.<br />

Their exquisite homemade breakfast<br />

is made fresh each day and has been<br />

getting regular praise from their guests.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>plex offers all mod cons,<br />

including strong WIFI, daily housekeeping<br />

and an onsite dining service. THeir<br />

enchanting lake-like swimming pool is<br />

one of their guests’ favourite hangout<br />

and many choose to spend their time<br />

there immersed in total relaxation.<br />

Cephalonia offers an explosion of sights,<br />

tastes and smells. The island is famous<br />

for its breathtaking archaeological<br />

sites, monasteries and museums. There<br />

are many gorgeous beaches easily<br />

accessible by car and tthey can help<br />

organize tours and excursions of the<br />

area and nearby islands. And for the wine<br />

enthusiasts, they can help you explore<br />

three of the most famous wineries of the<br />

whole island.


Santorini<br />

Santorini is an iconic <strong>Europe</strong>an destination.<br />

It’s one of the most recognisable places in the<br />

world with beautiful whitewashed buildings set<br />

against a vibrant blue sky, panoramic views,<br />

luxury hotels, world class wineries and fine dining<br />

establishments.<br />

The Architecture<br />

Santorini and most Cycladic islands for that<br />

matter are known for their idyllic seaside towns of<br />

whitewashed homes and blue domed churches. In<br />

Caldera these buildings are perched on a cliffside<br />

and even built inside of cliff-side caves.<br />

Dining<br />

Seafood lovers are in luck, fresh grilled fish is a local specialty and<br />

is available in Tavernas all over the island. Oher local specialties are<br />

white aubergine (popular as a Moussaka), Fave me koukla (mashed<br />

up fava beans), tomato keftedes (tomato fritters) and Saganaki (fried<br />

cheese in a filo pastry).<br />

Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />

Santorini is a boutique hotel haven; the island is<br />

home to numerous stylish luxury hotels. From<br />

balconies with sea views, private pool suites,<br />

infinity pools, fine dining and world class spa’s,<br />

Santorini has it all. It’s worth reserving months in<br />

advance as the hotels on the island get booked up<br />

very quick. We re<strong>com</strong>mend <strong>Travel</strong> and hospitality<br />

award winners Luna Santorini Suites (profiled on<br />

the following page) and Windmill Villas (profiled on<br />

page ).<br />

Wineries<br />

Santorini is a distinctive wine growing region<br />

and one that enjoys special designation<br />

of origin status from the <strong>Europe</strong>an Union.<br />

Vineyards in the region date back to over 3000<br />

years and the volcanic, mineral rich soil mixed<br />

with the weather creates a rare, in demand<br />

and high-quality wine. Simply put Santorini is<br />

a wine lovers paradise and Venetsanos winery<br />

(profiled on the following pages) is a great place<br />

to enjoy them.


Pyrgos, 84700 Santorini, Greece Tel+ 3022860 33198 <strong>www</strong>.lunasantorinisuites.<strong>com</strong><br />

Luna Santorini Suites<br />

Greece | Elegant Suites<br />

Luna Santorini is a <strong>com</strong>plex that <strong>com</strong>prises of four elegantly decorated grand<br />

suites. The suites <strong>com</strong>bine the traditional Cycladic style the area is famous<br />

for with modern-day amenities for the convenience of their guests.<br />

All of their suites are spacious and <strong>com</strong>e with balconies that afford panoramic<br />

views of the surrounding area. They feature outdoor heated Jacuzzis and large<br />

patios where guests can soak in the beautiful tranquility of Pyrgos village.<br />

Their Suites <strong>com</strong>e with traditional bathrooms with bathtubs and rain showers<br />

and an array of exquisite <strong>com</strong>plimentary items such as fluffy bathrobes and<br />

slippers as well as excellent WIFI signal and Nespresso machines.<br />

They understand modern-day travellers’<br />

discerning needs so they have a wide<br />

range of services on offer upon request.<br />

You may wish to explore the island by<br />

jumping on one of the famous Santorini<br />

bus tours or perhaps join other travellers<br />

on a boat excursion. Even better, they<br />

can help you arrange private sailing<br />

and catamaran tours: glide across the<br />

Mediterranean Sea in the <strong>com</strong>pany of<br />

your loved ones and watch the sun go<br />

down without a care in the world!<br />

Choose to go wine tasted in the local<br />

vineyards or decide to have a whole day<br />

of pampering yourself with our luxurious<br />

massage treatments.<br />

And when you’ve relaxed enough,<br />

venture out to discover the aweinspiring<br />

beauty of Pyrgos Village. Take a<br />

walk up the cobblestone narrow path to<br />

enjoy an unobstructed view of the area<br />

and appreciate the Venetian-style castle<br />

and the local Good Friday customs.


Caldera Megalochori, P.O. Box 510,<br />

GR-847 00, Santorini Island, Greece<br />

Tel +30 22860 21100<br />

<strong>www</strong>.venetsanoswinery.<strong>com</strong><br />

Venetsanos Winery<br />

Greece | Winery<br />

Right above the port of Santorini on the edge of the cliff, between sky and<br />

earth, Venetsanos winery, the first industrial winery of Santorini is located.<br />

Giorgos Venetsanos, the sharp eyed, meticulous, analytic oenologist, put pen to<br />

paper and he himself designed the winery of his dreams.<br />

The winery was built in 1949, before electricity came to the island.<br />

It was designed and built in four levels in order to take advantage of the gravity.<br />

The result is this charming building that survives undamaged until today.<br />

The winery premises are fully accessible<br />

to the visitors. They will be glad to<br />

introduce you to the facilities and take<br />

you step by step through the marvelous<br />

history of Venetsanos winery. The visitor<br />

can sample our exceptional wines by<br />

the proprietary vineyards of the family.<br />

Tastings are personalized according<br />

to style, ranging from a glass of wine<br />

to the opening of several selected<br />

bottles of older vintages. Wines may be<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>panied by light snacks made of<br />

high quality Greek traditional products,<br />

transforming the tasting into real<br />

gastronomic experience.<br />

For special occasions, the winery’s<br />

expert staff organizes exclusive dinners<br />

on the private terrace, with Venetsanos<br />

wines and fine viands, in a majestic<br />

scenery.<br />

The terraces for the wine tastings are<br />

open daily from 10:00 to 21:00. Enjoy<br />

the captivating sunset from here and<br />

an evening under the moonlight and the<br />

lights of the unique Caldera cliffs!


A day in Mykonos<br />

Known as Greece’s equivalent to Ayia<br />

Napa in Cyprus or St Tropez in France,<br />

Mykonos is a cosmopolitan party island.<br />

You’ll find no shortage of world class DJ’s,<br />

buzzing night clubs, VIP beach parties<br />

and a masses of luxury yachts moored<br />

for the summer season. The night life isn’t<br />

the only attraction of the Island and below<br />

we guide you on how to best spend a day<br />

before hitting up the clubs.<br />

Lunch in Little Venice<br />

Little Venice is a thriving bar and restaurant<br />

neighbourhood in Mykonos town. The perfect<br />

place to rest up after a morning in Delos. The<br />

name <strong>com</strong>es from a resemblance with Venice<br />

owing to its colourful houses built by the edge<br />

of the sea.<br />

Afternoon stroll around<br />

Mykonos town<br />

Now it’s time to walk it off your<br />

lunch and there is nowhere better<br />

for this than Mykonos town.<br />

Lose yourself in in the winding<br />

streets lined with beautiful white<br />

houses, colourful bougainvillea’s,<br />

souvenir shops and cafes.<br />

Morning Trip to Delos<br />

The uninhabited island of Delos, located<br />

a few kilometres from the south west<br />

coast of Mykonos, is a UNESCO world<br />

heritage site and according to mythology<br />

the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo<br />

and Artemis. Ships depart daily from<br />

Mykonos old harbour. A morning spent<br />

here amongst the ruins and museums is<br />

one that is far from wasted.<br />

Laze about on the Beaches<br />

Relaxing on the beach after a<br />

stroll around Mykonos town is<br />

a great way to reenergise for<br />

the night ahead. The beaches<br />

of Mykonos are pristine, and<br />

should you want to enjoy the<br />

sunset then Agios Ioannies and<br />

Choulakia beaches are perfect<br />

for you.<br />

Dinner at Matogianni<br />

Street<br />

Matogianni street is vibrant<br />

and a fantastic place for<br />

dinner, there are a several<br />

greats restaurants and bars<br />

to choose from. Later this is<br />

where the nightlife picks up,<br />

so you don’t have to travel too<br />

far after dinner to get into the<br />

party mood.


Airport, 846 00, Greece Tel +30 698 346 1173 <strong>www</strong>.mykonostransferservices.gr<br />

Mykonos Transfer<br />

Services<br />

Greece | Transfer Company<br />

Mykonos Transfer services is a <strong>com</strong>pany that was founded in 2018, in Platys<br />

Gialos, Mykonos to offer high-end travel services of unrivaled quality to<br />

the people visiting the island. Based in the Kosmoplaz Beach Hotel & Resort and<br />

having a 26 year old history, we set the bar higher in the traveling field of Mykonos,<br />

by constantly providing fast transportation, security and professionalism to<br />

distinguished guests during their stay.<br />

Having a truly reliable fleet of exceptional Mercedes- Benz Sprinter Vans, they<br />

guarantee absolutely, safe, <strong>com</strong>fortable and carefree tours on the most famous<br />

island of the Cyclades. The choices vary, as their guides can arrange for transfers<br />

to and from the airport or the port, individual or group transfers anywhere one<br />

wishes in Mykonos, while a one-day car rental service is also available. Their<br />

vehicles are designed to meet all needs, whether someone is traveling with<br />

friends, family or alone.<br />

Their associates can show the guests<br />

around the most popular places on the<br />

island, such as the windmills for photos,<br />

the little Venice or the Marina (Old Port)<br />

for strolling around. Visitors can also take<br />

a tour of the best- known beaches or<br />

the best, entertainment hot spots, such<br />

as Nammos in Psarrou or the ultimate<br />

dance club, Cavo Paradiso amongst a<br />

wide variety of other wonderful locations.<br />

Their services include, transfers all<br />

around the island at any given time or<br />

route, VIP transfers, beach transfers,<br />

clubbing transfers, airport and port<br />

transfers, wedding transfers, sightseeing<br />

excursions and group transfers.<br />

Their goal is for everyone to get to know<br />

Mykonos in the safest, affordable and<br />

stylish way!


Rhodes<br />

The island<br />

that has it all<br />

Rhodes is Greece’s fourth biggest<br />

island and one that quite simply<br />

has it all. A unique <strong>com</strong>bination of<br />

archaeological sites, historic towns, lovely<br />

beaches and luxury resorts has made<br />

Rhodes one of the most visited of the<br />

Greek islands.<br />

Rhodes town is the capital and home to the<br />

only airport. During the summer months<br />

there are international flights available<br />

from a handful of <strong>Europe</strong>an destinations<br />

otherwise a connection in Athens, Crete<br />

or Thessaloniki may be required. This can<br />

even be a ferry connection routes are<br />

plentiful from the mainland and major<br />

islands.<br />

Rhodes town itself is a great choice<br />

for anyone interested in learning about<br />

history. The old town is a UNESCO world<br />

heritage site and is extremely well<br />

preserved. The palace of the grand master<br />

of knights and the street of knights are<br />

two of the most popular attractions.<br />

Lindos is superb for those interested in a<br />

more traditional experience. The town has<br />

a preservation order meaning councils and<br />

businesses are limited with how far they can<br />

move away from tradition. This has left the<br />

town with an authentic feel which is further<br />

enhanced with the presence of its acropolis<br />

perched up on a hill above the village.<br />

Both Lindos and Rhodes town have wonderful beaches however if<br />

this is the main reason for your trip then why not check out Ialysos.<br />

The beach of Ialysos is long and well organised with many large hotel<br />

<strong>com</strong>plexes located nearby.


Heritage sites are scattered all over the<br />

island so once you’ve had your fill of the<br />

Rhodes old town then be sure to head out<br />

to Filermos Hill, famous for its medieval<br />

ruins, chapel and monastery. Visits to the<br />

castle of Kritinia and castle of Monolithos<br />

will make for an amazing road trip.<br />

Looking past the historical sites one can<br />

enjoy a scenic climb up mount Attavyros<br />

and water sports. Snorkelling, diving and<br />

windsurfing are all very popular. Faliraki,<br />

the islands night life centre is also the<br />

location of a large world class water park.<br />

There are several<br />

outstanding places to<br />

stay on the island from big<br />

luxury <strong>com</strong>plexes to small<br />

guest houses. Our pick of<br />

the bunch is St. Artemios<br />

Boutique Hotel by Artesa,<br />

profiled earlier on page .<br />

Accessible Rhodes, a local<br />

<strong>com</strong>pany and travel and<br />

hospitality award winner,<br />

is an excellent point of<br />

contact for anyone that’s<br />

planning to visit and<br />

would like to organise<br />

excursions, activities or<br />

transfers. Further details<br />

can be found on the<br />

following page.


Lindou 5th km, Rodos 851 00 Tel +30 22410 84500 <strong>www</strong>.accessible-rhodes.<strong>com</strong><br />

Accessible Rhodes<br />

Greece | The Award for Excellence in Service<br />

The island of Rhodes is one of the most beautiful of the Dodecanese and<br />

one filled with natural wonders, splendid architecture and ancient ruins.<br />

This culture-soaked, sunny paradise is now easily accessible to a wide range of<br />

visitors with special needs and disabilities, thanks to the services provided by<br />

Accessible Rhodes.<br />

Accessible Rhodes is a private initiative and <strong>com</strong>munity project with a shared<br />

vision to ensure tourism on the island is an enjoyable experience for everyone,<br />

including people with reduced mobility. It consists of a network of agencies that<br />

work together to guarantee a smooth, tailor-made experience. The project’s<br />

mission is to make Tourism available for all and not only healthy and mobile<br />

individuals.<br />

It includes the provision of specially<br />

designed vehicles that cater for specific<br />

needs and provide safe and convenient<br />

transport to all accessible destinations<br />

around the island. This is available<br />

24/7 by arrangement. There is also the<br />

option of hiring speciality equipment to<br />

make visitors journeys as <strong>com</strong>fortable<br />

as possible. Specially trained staff are<br />

always available to help and place great<br />

emphasis on maintaining individuals’<br />

safety and dignity.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany’s connection with the<br />

Association of Qualified Tourist Guides of<br />

the Dodecanese makes for the perfect<br />

holiday. You can discover the nearby<br />

Symi island, and get transported to<br />

the boat using specially adapted seats<br />

before arriving to enjoy a tour of the<br />

narrow streets of Yalos village. Or opt for<br />

the popular City Tour HD and discover<br />

the wonders of the Old Town and ruins of<br />

the Temple of Apollo.


Turkey<br />

Best time to visit<br />

Istanbul is an all-season gem<br />

and makes for a pleasant<br />

holiday all year round.<br />

However, visits to the south<br />

coast should be reserved for<br />

the summer months between<br />

April and October.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Istanbul, a beautiful city<br />

straddling two continents<br />

and a millennium of history.<br />

The Land of Smiles<br />

Steeped in a rich history,<br />

stunning landscape and<br />

beautiful architecture, Turkey is<br />

a country that quite simply has<br />

it all.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Aegean<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

2. Black Sea<br />

3. Central Anatolia<br />

4. Eastern Anatolia<br />

5. Marmara<br />

How to get in<br />

Flights from major<br />

international airports are<br />

a plenty. From Greece it is<br />

possible to get in by ferry.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Take in the history and<br />

culture, in every region there<br />

is something new to discover.<br />

6. Mediterranean<br />

7. Southeastern Anatolia


Izmir<br />

Turkeys<br />

Hidden Gem<br />

Turkey’s third biggest city isn’t high<br />

on many people list when planning<br />

a trip to the country. Tourism to Turkey<br />

is dominated by the magnificent city of<br />

Istanbul and the seasonal beach towns of<br />

the Mugla Province.<br />

Izmir however has much to offer, what<br />

was once the ancient city of Smyrna is<br />

now a modern and developed centre set<br />

around a huge bay and surrounded by<br />

mountains. Izmir can be reached from<br />

anywhere within Turkey by bus or train<br />

and there are daily flights from Istanbul,<br />

Ankara and Antalya. Ferries from Greece<br />

and Venice are also available. There are<br />

very few historical sites to see despite the<br />

city’s rich history. This is mainly because<br />

of the great fire of 1922 which left very<br />

few sites standing, the ones that remain<br />

are worth a visit. The Agora is the bestpreserved<br />

remains of the ancient history<br />

of the city.<br />

The Kemeralti market is a unique and authentic<br />

experience with its colourful shops on narrow<br />

and winding streets and hidden courtyards.<br />

The market is centred around the Kizlaragasi<br />

Hani, a grand ottoman era caravanserai sitting<br />

perfectly in front of the beautiful Hisar mosque.<br />

The Asansor offers scenic views of the city and<br />

a unique dining experience. It was constructed<br />

over 100 years ago with the original purpose<br />

of connecting hilltop residents with the rest of<br />

the city.<br />

Izmir is home to multiple well organised beaches that are easy to<br />

reach from the city centre. If you’re interested in shopping, then<br />

the Konak Pier and Forum are both modern and atmospheric shop<br />

centres. Dining in Izmir is an enjoyable experience.<br />

The sea food is delicious, fresh and plentifully available. Kumru is<br />

a popular sandwich found all over Turkey, but a unique vegetarian<br />

version is only available in Izmir. Izmir also has its own version of<br />

Tulum, a traditional goats milk cheese.


Yeni Mecidiye Mahallesi, 3074. Sk. No.3,<br />

35950 Çeşme/İzmir, Turkey<br />

Tel +90 232 716 03 53<br />

<strong>www</strong>.incirliev.<strong>com</strong><br />

Incirliev –<br />

Special Category<br />

Turkey | Stylish Hotel<br />

Located in the historicaly protected zone of Alaçatı, with its old stone houses<br />

and ripe fruit trees fully enjoying the sun, İNCİRLİEV’s story goes quite a<br />

long way back. It all started with a book that the family’s mom Sabahat Poshor<br />

read: Peter Mayle’s ‘Hotel Pastis’ set in Provence. Dreams came true with the<br />

respectfully renovated 100 years old Greek house of Alaçatı as İNCİRLİEV, and<br />

brought a new excitement to the Poshor family. Poshor family was conquered by<br />

the wild mulberry tree in the garden as well as more than 100 years old historic<br />

fig tree under protection, which gave the hotel its name; İNCİRLİEV ‘house with<br />

the fig tree’.<br />

INCIRLIEV, a bit of heaven in Alaçatı, allures your senses; its warmest hospitality,<br />

serene garden centered with the hundred years old fig tree, the exquisite tastes<br />

of its home-made breakfast & spacious charming rooms with high ceilings,<br />

make it the ultimate escape. Special Rooms are usually the first preference,<br />

White Room is a top pick for honeymooners!<br />

In İNCİRLİEV, the day begins with<br />

legendary breakfast served al fresco<br />

from the open kitchen. The table sagged<br />

with best local produce of Agean region;<br />

cheese, fruit, greens, bread selection,<br />

olives and – the undoubted highlight – an<br />

ever-changing great selection of Father<br />

Osman’s homemade, sun matured jams,<br />

more than 40 different kinds, most of the<br />

fruit hand picked by Osman, with very<br />

Little sugar, no additives, Little cooking,<br />

matured under the Agean sun, so you<br />

can get real taste of the fruits. Every<br />

day minimum 10 different kinds on the<br />

table. Some of them are more special<br />

than the others like rose, wild mulberry,<br />

kumkuwat, small mandarins, small<br />

lemons, oranges, and the lavender and<br />

so on …. So there is jam tasting rituel in<br />

Incirliev like wine tasting.<br />

‘İncirliev allures your senses, warmest<br />

hospitality, exquisite tastes&charming<br />

rooms make it the ultimate escape...


Turkey Tel +252 243 44 43 <strong>www</strong>.alpsuites.<strong>com</strong><br />

Alpsuites<br />

Turkey | Apartments<br />

Alp suites are located in Akyaka, a coastal town situated between the Gulf of<br />

Gökova and the lush greenery of the Gökova plains. It is a unique treasure,<br />

unknown to the masses and therefore still unspoiled. They have 5 types of<br />

exclusive apartments spread out in different parts of the area.<br />

Pine Hill is the biggest member of the suites family and contains 16 modern<br />

fully-furnished apartments. Their biggest apartment is 92m2 suitable for up to<br />

six guests, with full sea view, Queen beds and all modern amenities. Each suite<br />

is uniquely designed with spacious bedrooms and modern furniture.<br />

Their Mandalin and Lavanta <strong>com</strong>plexes<br />

are located near the centre and very<br />

close to the beach. Lavanta offers<br />

four medium-sized clean and spotless<br />

apartments. Nestled amongst pine trees,<br />

this is the perfect spot if your main aim is<br />

to fully relax. There are gorgeous views of<br />

the nearby mountains and a very tranquil<br />

vibe. Mandalin’s exterior is a head-turner<br />

and the <strong>com</strong>plex offers access to its own<br />

garden terrace. Apartments have either a<br />

patio or a balcony.<br />

Our Safran <strong>com</strong>plex cascades over three<br />

floors with 3 different apartments on<br />

offer. Tucked away in a tranquil area of the<br />

town and away from the busy streets, the<br />

<strong>com</strong>plex feels like a secluded sanctuary<br />

with its very own swimming pool.<br />

Limon is a two bedroom apartment, only<br />

20m away from the beach. There is a<br />

huge terrace where you can enjoy drinks<br />

or even practice yoga in the morning.


Czech Republic<br />

Eastern <strong>Europe</strong>


Russia<br />

Best time to visit<br />

The summer months between<br />

April and September.<br />

Favourite place<br />

St Petersburg, a world class city<br />

with beautiful architecture, a<br />

historical centre, canals and the<br />

world’s oldest collection of art.<br />

There is nothing<br />

like Russia<br />

The largest country in the world<br />

that can easily boast the tourist<br />

attractions to match<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Central<br />

2. Ural<br />

3. North Caucasus<br />

4. Volga<br />

How to get in<br />

Moscow is easily reachable<br />

by flight from most major<br />

international cities and<br />

essentially acts as a gateway<br />

to the rest of Russia. Trains are<br />

a <strong>com</strong>mon form of entry from<br />

surrounding <strong>Europe</strong>an and Asian<br />

countries.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Take in the history and culture, in<br />

every region there is something<br />

new to discover.<br />

5. West Siberian<br />

6. East Siberian<br />

7. Volga-Vyatka<br />

8. Northwestern<br />

9. Central Black Earth<br />

10. Far Eastern<br />

11. Northern<br />

12. Kaliningrad


St. Petersburg, Russia Tel +7 (812) 380 4596 <strong>www</strong>.parallelsixty.<strong>com</strong><br />

parallel 60<br />

Russia | Private Tour Company<br />

Parallel 60 is a Russian travel <strong>com</strong>pany based in St.Petersburg and has an<br />

office in Moscow. It offers hassle-free tour packages for visitors who are<br />

interested in well-organized trips full of adventure and <strong>com</strong>fort.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany has been operating since 2006 and is experienced in providing a<br />

<strong>com</strong>prehensive level of travel services. Russia has an abundance of historical<br />

places of interest to be explored and with such a wide choice it is wise to let<br />

a trustworthy <strong>com</strong>pany arrange the trip. The team of multi-lingual tour guides<br />

with their vast amount of knowledge will ensure your utmost satisfaction.<br />

With more than 116 tours and excursions to choose from, there is something here<br />

for everyone’s taste, budget, and time frame. Some of the most popular tours are<br />

of short duration. The three-hour Cruise along the rivers and canals of St.<br />

Petersburg offers a magnificent and romantic way to experience the view of<br />

the city from the water and passengers<br />

can add a walking tour to it, if they wish.<br />

The Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment<br />

tour is the ultimate gift for literature<br />

lovers familiar with his work: explore the<br />

many different spots mentioned in his<br />

book and walk the famous 730 steps to<br />

the murder site.<br />

For more <strong>com</strong>prehensive adventures,<br />

the <strong>com</strong>pany offers longer tours over<br />

several days, such as Moscow MUSTS<br />

tour, which includes visits to the Russian<br />

capital’s most renowned and celebrated<br />

spots, such as St.Basil Cathedral,<br />

Kremlin, and the Novodevichy Convent.<br />

The longer tours can be flexibly adapted<br />

to suit customers’ needs so they can add<br />

or remove destinations as they wish.<br />

Many of our clients’ feedbacks can be<br />

viewed on TripAdvisor and Facebook.


Moscow<br />

A City Apart<br />

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is an<br />

iconic global city that has played a<br />

central role in the development of Russia<br />

and the world. It’s the second most<br />

populous city in <strong>Europe</strong> and its history<br />

dates back over 800 years. Today Moscow<br />

is mix of history and modernity with several<br />

architectural gems from the old empire still<br />

standing alongside modern renovations<br />

and skyscrapers.<br />

Moscow is very accessible, it’s home to four<br />

international airports (only London and New<br />

York have more) and a nine terminal train<br />

station that can be reached from <strong>Europe</strong><br />

or Asia. The public transport network is<br />

extensive it includes a metro, tram, bus<br />

service, <strong>com</strong>muter rail and a monorail. The<br />

city is one of the most congested in the<br />

world, so we’d re<strong>com</strong>mend you avoid the<br />

bus service or taxi.<br />

A city with an 800-hundred-year<br />

history is not without its heritage sites<br />

and attractions. The most iconic and<br />

well known in Moscow is the red square,<br />

based at the heart of the city. It’s<br />

usually the first stop for most visitors<br />

and surrounded by St Basils Cathedral,<br />

the State History Museum and Lenin’s<br />

Mausoleum, all of which are worth a<br />

visit. Coupled with the red square is the<br />

Kremlin, a fortified <strong>com</strong>plex that boasts<br />

five palaces, four cathedrals, museums,<br />

squares, an enclosing Kremlin wall<br />

and towers. The Grand Kremlin Palace,<br />

located in the Kremlin, is the official<br />

residence of the Russian president and<br />

is only open for tours two or three times<br />

a month.


If you’re interested in art, then the Tretyakov<br />

Gallery and Pushkin museum are ideal for<br />

you. They are in direct contrast to each<br />

other in that the Tretyakov gallery houses<br />

Russian art and famous Russian pieces<br />

while the Pushkin is dedicated to Western<br />

and Worldwide art. Both are a delight.<br />

To get an authentic feel for the city and its<br />

people take a stroll down Old Arbat Street.<br />

It’s one of the oldest in town and full of<br />

souvenir shops, tourist cafés, restaurants,<br />

street performers and artists. Aviapark<br />

offers a more modern experience, it’s<br />

<strong>Europe</strong>’s biggest shopping centre with over<br />

500 shops, a cinema, a four level aquarium<br />

and winter park.<br />

Aside from shopping and history the other popular thing to do in Moscow is<br />

visit the theatre. Moscow has several world class theatres and planning in a<br />

show as part of your itinerary will be rewarding. The Bolshoi, one of the most<br />

famous, stages operas, ballets and musical performances. Tickets need to be<br />

booked in advance. For all your touring needs in Moscow or for all of Russia<br />

be sure to check out our winner from the city, Express to Russia, profiled on<br />

the next page.


Muchnoy Pereulok, 2, St Petersburg,<br />

Russia, 191023<br />

Tel +7 812 570-63-42<br />

<strong>www</strong>.expresstorussia.<strong>com</strong><br />

Express to Russia<br />

Russia | Tailor Made Tour Company<br />

Above all, what makes Express to<br />

Russia Russia’s most highly-rated tour<br />

<strong>com</strong>pany, is their focus on creating<br />

unforgettable memories. Their tours<br />

take travellers off the beaten tracks;<br />

revealing the history and culture behind<br />

Russia’s famed theatres, tragic literature,<br />

wonderful cuisine and more!<br />

Planning a trip to Russia can sometimes seem daunting, especially for firsttime<br />

visitors. Based in St Petersburg, the passionate team at Express to<br />

Russia is <strong>com</strong>mitted to making the journey to Russia enjoyable, hassle free and<br />

fun. For more than fifteen years they have helped travelers discover the real<br />

Russia; from the crowning jewels, Moscow and St Petersburg, to the Golden<br />

Ring, Siberia and beyond! Unlike other tour-agencies, the tours that Express to<br />

Russia arranges are tailored specifically to suit their client’s needs and budget.<br />

Along with the unique excursions, they also assist with train tickets, river cruises,<br />

hotels and even visa-applications.


17, Sosnovy Bor, Pushkino,<br />

Moscow region, Russia<br />

Tel +74 999 384 384<br />

<strong>www</strong>.verbamayr.ru<br />

Verba Mayr Austrian<br />

Health Center<br />

Russia | Wellness Retreat<br />

Verba Mayr is the unique and the only Austrian Mayr therapy centre in Russia.<br />

They help you get younger and more energetic, get rid of excess weight and<br />

toxins, make your life healthier and happier!<br />

Their centre works according to <strong>Europe</strong>an standards of holistic and integrative<br />

medicine. The approach is based on the therapeutic method of the Austrian<br />

doctor and researcher F.X. Mayr. The main directions of Mayr Medicine are proper<br />

nutrition, healthy digestion, gentle cleansing of the body and increasing vitality.<br />

Verba Mayr is:<br />

- Healthcare medicine with a <strong>Europe</strong>an approach;<br />

- effective <strong>com</strong>bination of modern medical technologies and natural recovery<br />

methods;<br />

- individual approach and excellent service;<br />

- strict confidentiality and elite hotel atmosphere.<br />

Coming to our centre, you get into the atmosphere<br />

of care and <strong>com</strong>fort, full of relaxation and rest,<br />

familiar to you by the level of service of the best<br />

world’s Medicine & SPA hotels. Picturesque nature,<br />

large forest areas, abundance of water reservoirs,<br />

clean air saturated with healing phytoncides make<br />

Verba Mayr ideal for climatotherapy, rest and<br />

treatment.<br />

Medical concept<br />

Verba Mayr provides <strong>Europe</strong>an quality medical<br />

service in accordance with the most stringent<br />

standards of the International Community of Mayr<br />

Physicians. We are guided by a holistic approach to<br />

the human body, typical of modern Mayr therapy,<br />

and <strong>com</strong>bine it with the latest achievements of<br />

modern medicine.<br />

The five main activities of Verba Mayr are:<br />

- Mayr therapy and special treatment programmes;<br />

- detox and body cleansing;<br />

- anti-stress therapy;<br />

- check-up diagnostics;<br />

- aesthetic medicine.<br />

Verba Mayr’s principle is high service and individual<br />

approach to each guest.


Kaliningrad Oblast<br />

Something Different<br />

Kaliningrad is unique both geographically and<br />

historically from the rest of Russia. It’s situated<br />

between Poland and Lithuania, separated physically<br />

from Russia and historically it was a part of Germany and<br />

served as the Northern half of Historic East Prussia.<br />

There is a small international airport in Kaliningrad but<br />

the best way in is to fly to neighbouring Vilnius (Lithuania)<br />

or Gdansk (Poland) and drive in or take a bus. Flying to<br />

Finland and getting a ferry to Kaliningrad city is another<br />

option.<br />

Most German speaking inhabitants were forced out<br />

of the region in 1945 but traces of old German culture<br />

remain. This <strong>com</strong>bined with modern Russian influence<br />

makes Kaliningrad Oblast a unique destination within<br />

Russia. Konigsberg Cathedral in Kaliningrad city is one<br />

such attraction that has German roots. The Cathedral<br />

is built on an Island along Pregolya river and is a great<br />

sight to see. Another example of German heritage is Fort<br />

Friedrishsburg, once a point of defence for the Prussian<br />

empire is today part of the Museum of the Worlds Ocean.<br />

The main attraction of Kaliningrad Oblast however is the<br />

Curonian Split, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The split is a<br />

narrow strip of land separating the Curonian lagoon from<br />

the Baltic sea. The site is shared by Russia and Lithuania<br />

and if you’re lucky enough to go there on a sunny day you’ll<br />

enjoy be able to enjoy the huge sand dunes and dancing<br />

forest, where the trees are crooked for reasons unknown.


Ulitsa Lenina, 32А, Zelenogradsk,<br />

Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, 238530<br />

Tel +7 40150 5 13 13<br />

<strong>www</strong>.myhotel12.ru<br />

hotel 12<br />

Russia<br />

Russia | Stylish Hotel<br />

hotel<br />

If you have never been to the Baltic Sea or Curonian Spit, the time has <strong>com</strong>e to<br />

visit hotel 12. It’s a modern and fashionable place on the Baltic seashore that’ll<br />

show you the original Baltic nature, Prussian, and German history. It`s situated in<br />

Zelenogradsk city and located close to the main attractions. The beach too is only<br />

a 5-minutes’ walk away. The project of the hotel was made by the famous Franken<br />

Architekten Bureau (interior), Martin Atzinger (exterior), and GTL (landscape design).<br />

This hotel features both standard rooms and suites with a balcony and terrace. All<br />

rooms <strong>com</strong>e with plush furnishings and exude style from all corners. In the spring<br />

and summer period, their guests have a pleasant time outside the hotel, such as<br />

sunbathing at the open terraces/balconies, riding a bike (bike rent available at the<br />

hotel), or eating tasty lunch among sakura trees in our Cafe 12. In the autumn and<br />

winter period, you can spend homelike evenings near the fireplace with a book and<br />

a wineglass or warming in the sauna.<br />

All year round their team will be happy to see you at our hotel 12.


Biysk<br />

Gateway to the Altai<br />

Biysk isn’t easy to reach, there are no<br />

flights and the train from Moscow<br />

takes two days. But if you can make it to<br />

this Western Siberian town then you’re in for<br />

a treat as it’s the gateway to the stunning<br />

Altay mountain range.<br />

The Altai Mountain range and the<br />

surrounding area is beautiful and serene,<br />

known as Russia’s answer to the Alps.<br />

You’ll find forests, lakes, nature reserves to<br />

explore and private campsites to stay in.<br />

It’s a paradise for hikers, climbers, wildlife<br />

lovers and photography enthusiasts.<br />

The town of Biysk itself shouldn’t be<br />

overlooked as a simple gateway to another<br />

region. It has much to offer and the old town<br />

is a delight. The Cathedral of Assumption<br />

and the Chuiskiy Trakt Museum are both<br />

worth a visit.<br />

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, we<br />

re<strong>com</strong>mend <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> Award<br />

winner the Prague Hotel profiled on the<br />

next page.<br />

Moprovskiy Pereulok 65,<br />

659300 Biysk, Russia<br />

Prague Hotel<br />

Russia | Boutique Design Hotel<br />

Tel +7 963 509 75 55<br />

Prague Boutique Hotel is located in the historical city of Biysk, an<br />

important hub of diversity in the Altai territory. The hotel offers <strong>com</strong>fortable<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modation suitable for visitors who are looking to relax on their way<br />

to one of the nearby resorts and professionals interested in local investment<br />

opportunities. The nearby resorts are popular with locals and travellers alike and<br />

the hotel is often a wel<strong>com</strong>e stopping point for a chance to recharge before the<br />

70km drive.<br />

The hotel occupies 1500 square meters across three floors. With only 18 rooms,<br />

it offers guests ample amounts of privacy and it often seems like they have the<br />

entire place to themselves. The tranquil surroundings make this the perfect<br />

place to <strong>com</strong>e and relax.<br />

Prague Boutique Hotel also has the largest event venue in the city (Zephyr<br />

Hall), that can cater for business meetings, large corporate functions and<br />

banquet celebrations of any kind.


Bulgaria<br />

Best time to visit<br />

From June to September during<br />

the summer months although if<br />

you’re visiting for the Ski resorts<br />

then December through to March.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Rila Monastery nature park; A<br />

picturesque mountainous park<br />

and home of the Monastery of<br />

Saint Ivan of Rila, an architectural<br />

and historical gem.<br />

A diamond in the<br />

rough<br />

Stunning mountain ranges,<br />

warm sandy beaches, a vibrant<br />

capital, historical monuments<br />

and beautiful churches just<br />

waiting to be explored.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. North Western<br />

2. South Western<br />

3. North Central<br />

How to get in<br />

There are four international<br />

airports: Sofia, Varna, Burgas and<br />

Plovdiv are all connected to major<br />

<strong>Europe</strong>an cities.<br />

Sofia and Varna can be reached<br />

via train mainly from Kiev, Istanbul,<br />

Vienna, Bucharest, Belgrade<br />

and Moscow. Ferry services are<br />

available from Ukraine, Russia<br />

and Georgia. Driving in is relatively<br />

easy from all of Bulgarians<br />

neighbouring states.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Hiking; there are several<br />

mountain ranges in Bulgaria<br />

perfect for a summer hike.<br />

There is an extensive network of<br />

marked tourist trails across the<br />

country.<br />

4. North Eastern<br />

5. South Eastern<br />

6. South Central


Bulgaria Top 5<br />

Bulgaria is an increasingly popular tourist<br />

destination. In recent years with the<br />

advent of cheap flights it’s be<strong>com</strong>e more<br />

accessible especially to Western <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />

countries. It’s a much cheaper and unique<br />

alternative to the usual tired <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />

holiday destinations. Visitors can expect<br />

amazing mountain ranges, lovely sandy<br />

beaches, vibrant cities, quaint villages,<br />

historical monuments and great cuisine.<br />

For first timers we’ve put together a list of<br />

top five things to see and do.<br />

Relax at the Beach<br />

During <strong>com</strong>munist times Bulgarian<br />

beaches had a great reputation, mainly<br />

among travellers from behind the iron<br />

curtain. Today this reputation has<br />

continued, sandy sun-kissed beach towns<br />

like Sozopol, Golden Sands and Sunny<br />

beach are good enough to <strong>com</strong>pete with<br />

anywhere in <strong>Europe</strong>.<br />

Hike in the Mountains<br />

This a must do activity in<br />

Bulgaria, the country is<br />

home to varied mountain<br />

ranges and the trails are<br />

relatively well signed. There<br />

are number of different<br />

routes, we re<strong>com</strong>mend the<br />

hike to the seven Rila lakes<br />

and the Malyovitsa peak.<br />

Night Out in Sofia<br />

Sofia is the vibrant capital<br />

of Bulgaria and an everincreasing<br />

night life hub.<br />

There are a diverse range of<br />

bars and the licensing laws<br />

make it possible for them to<br />

remain open all night meaning<br />

you can party until dawn.<br />

Explore Ancient Nessebar<br />

A coastal town and UNESCO<br />

world heritage site, Nessebar<br />

is home to a number of<br />

ancient churches, cobbled<br />

streets, an archaeological<br />

museum, old fortifications<br />

and a distinctive windmill<br />

that marks the entrance.<br />

Rila Monastery<br />

Nature Park<br />

A great place to tick off two<br />

of the best things to do<br />

in Bulgaria. The first is the<br />

chance to see the idyllic<br />

natural landscape and<br />

mountains. Second nestled<br />

amongst the mountain is the<br />

beautiful Rila Monastery, a<br />

UNESCO world heritage site.


Scandinavia<br />

Scandinavia


Iceland<br />

Best time to visit<br />

May to September, when it’s<br />

warmer however for those<br />

interested in the Northern lights<br />

January through to April may be<br />

best.<br />

How to get in<br />

International flights to the capital<br />

are only available from Greenland<br />

and Faroe Islands. Instead most<br />

international visitors will fly to<br />

Keflavik airport 40km away from<br />

Reykjavik<br />

A solitary ferry route is in<br />

operation from Denmark to<br />

Iceland via the Faroe Islands.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Reynisfjara, the world-famous<br />

black sand beach found beside<br />

the small fishing village of Vík í<br />

Mýrdal.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Aurora Hunting, the chase<br />

to find the earth natural light<br />

display. Spectacular and not to<br />

be missed.<br />

Inspired to Discover<br />

Stunningly beautiful perfect for<br />

exploring strange, desolate and<br />

intriguing landscapes.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Capital Region<br />

2. Southern Peninsula<br />

3. Western Region<br />

4. Westfjords<br />

5. Northwestern Region<br />

6. Northeastern Region<br />

7. Eastern Region<br />

8. Southern Region


Southern<br />

Iceland<br />

When you think of Iceland, you think of a<br />

rural landscape, with glaciers, volcanoes<br />

and hot springs. This image is often that<br />

of Southern Iceland, a vast and expansive<br />

region that is easily reachable by car or<br />

bus from Reykjavik. However, when in the<br />

region a car is helpful to get around. Here<br />

are some of the best places to see when in<br />

Southern Iceland.<br />

Þingvellir<br />

A popular national park and a UNESCO<br />

world heritage site. The park includes a<br />

valley that is <strong>com</strong>monly referenced in<br />

many Icelandic sagas and is also where<br />

tectonic activity is clearly visible. You<br />

can go out and see spreading between<br />

the North American and Eurasian plates,<br />

which currently moves at a at a rate of half<br />

centimetre per year. Visitors can even take<br />

a walk through the rift.<br />

Geysir<br />

The original geyser (a vent in the Earth’s surface<br />

that periodically ejects a column of hot water<br />

and steam) is one of the most popular stops<br />

in Iceland. This high-powered spring can hurl<br />

water up to 70 metres in the air however it’s<br />

currently inactive. There are however 30 other<br />

geysers nearby including the Strokker geyser<br />

that shoots the water up 15 metres in the air.<br />

Gulfoss<br />

A beautiful 32-metre-high double water fall on the Hvita River and<br />

the largest volume fall in the whole of <strong>Europe</strong>. There is a gift shop<br />

and café on site for you to sit and enjoy the falls over a hot drink.<br />

The Golden Circle<br />

Þingvellir, Geysir and Gulfoss make up Iceland’s famed Golden Circle<br />

and many <strong>com</strong>panies offer day trips to see all three. We re<strong>com</strong>mend<br />

staying in the area, travel and hospitality award winner Uthlid<br />

Cottages is perfectly positioned for you to visit all three with ease.


Eyrarbakki<br />

An old fishing village and one of Iceland’s hidden gems. Once an<br />

important trading town that played a crucial part in the growth of<br />

the economy and acted as a cultural centre, Eyrarbakki today is a<br />

museum town. Many of the old wooden houses have been renovated<br />

and turned into heritage museums.<br />

<strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> Award winner Hotel Vos is a is the ideal coastal<br />

place to stay and the perfect base from which to visit Skogar, the<br />

black sand beach and Eyrarbakki.<br />

Skogar<br />

A small fishing village and location of<br />

the magnificent Skogafoss waterfalls<br />

as well as the Skogasafn.<br />

The Skogafoss waterfall is 60 metres<br />

high and 25 metres wide. Access to<br />

see the waterfall is free and open<br />

all year round, there are even metal<br />

stairs on the side for anyone wishing<br />

to get to the top. If you’re lucky then<br />

on a sunny day you may be able to see<br />

rainbow at the base of the waterfall, a<br />

truly unique sight.<br />

Only a few minutes from the falls lies<br />

the Skogasafn, a cultural and heritage<br />

centre. It’s made up of open-air, folk<br />

and technical museums. The openair<br />

museum showcases the lives of<br />

Icelanders in the 20th century. Each<br />

building is filled with antique furniture,<br />

fishing equipment, cooking tools and<br />

traditional costume. The folk museum<br />

is a cultural heritage collection of more<br />

than 15,000 regional folk artefacts<br />

dating back to the Viking age. The<br />

technical museum is an exhibition<br />

hall documenting the history and<br />

evolution of Icelandic transport,<br />

<strong>com</strong>munication and technologies in<br />

the 19th and 20th centuries.<br />

Black Sand Beaches<br />

There are beautiful beaches all over <strong>Europe</strong><br />

but none more so unique than the black sand<br />

beach of the southern coast of Iceland. The<br />

beach stretches five kilometres and is a sight<br />

to behold. The quaint coastal town of Vik is the<br />

place to head to if you plan to spend the day<br />

exploring and taking in the magnificence of the<br />

black sand beach.


Úthlíð Iceland cottages,<br />

Bláskógabyggð, 806 Selfoss<br />

Tel +354 699 5500<br />

<strong>www</strong>.uthlid.<strong>com</strong><br />

Úthlíd Cottages<br />

Iceland | Cottages<br />

Úthlíd Cottages are located right in the middle of the Golden Circle route<br />

and offer homely and <strong>com</strong>fortable ac<strong>com</strong>modation with picturesque views.<br />

There is a range of one, two and four-bedroom wooden cabins. All include fully<br />

equipped kitchen areas and BBQ grills in the patio. Some of the bigger lodges<br />

include hot tubs and larger dining areas suitable for bigger parties.<br />

The landscape around the area is spectacular and their guests can take in<br />

breath-taking views of the Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes to the South of<br />

the country. Each lodge has a patio, perfect for having a BBQ in the evening or<br />

inhaling the crisp, clean air first thing in the morning alongside a warm cup of<br />

coffee. Not to mention that on a clear night, guests are treated to their very own<br />

private show of the majestic Northern Lights. The famous Geysir springs and<br />

Gullfoss waterfall are just 10km away and Reykjavík is an hour’s drive<br />

They have a restaurant on-site where<br />

guests can enjoy reasonably priced food.<br />

In the back of the <strong>com</strong>plex guests can<br />

interact with their beautiful horses and<br />

even choose to take them for a ride. If you<br />

feel sporty, they also have a nine-hole<br />

golf course open in the summer months.<br />

For an immense experience, submerge<br />

yourself in the geothermal waters of<br />

their mountain pool, with stunning views<br />

of the glaciers<br />

If you are a happy camper, they offer a<br />

separate camping area with access to all<br />

of the facilities above.


Norður Nýjabæ, 851 Hella,<br />

Þykkvibær (Thykkvibaer), Iceland<br />

Tel +354 554 8800<br />

<strong>www</strong>.hotelvos.is<br />

Hotel VOS<br />

Iceland | Hotel & Restaurant<br />

Hotel VOS is a small and cosy country hotel in Þykkvibæ, the oldest rural<br />

village in South Iceland. Located on a tranquil, traditional Icelandic farm,<br />

the hotel offers a relaxing atmosphere and is surrounded by stunning nature.<br />

The hotel is <strong>com</strong>prised of 18 rooms, all with private bathrooms and free WI-FI.<br />

Their rooms are simply furnished, bright and spacious and include flat-screen<br />

TVs and <strong>com</strong>fortable mattresses. Some of their rooms can be accessible upon<br />

requests, for customers with mobility needs. Their largest rooms are suitable<br />

for families, with three single beds or one double and one single bed. All guests<br />

have access to our hot tub, which can be used at any moment.<br />

VOS hotel also offers a daily delicious<br />

breakfast, including their very own<br />

homemade bread and jams. The<br />

restaurant can cater to up to 50 people<br />

at once and offers an array of delicious<br />

dishes using locally sourced ingredients,<br />

including wines specifically paired with<br />

the dishes on our menu.<br />

Their guests can enjoy a variety of<br />

activities both on-site and in the vicinity,<br />

including horse riding and fishing. With<br />

the help of a tour operator, get ready<br />

to explore the nearby glaciers and ice<br />

lagoons or choose to lose yourself in<br />

the largely unknown deserted highlands<br />

of Þórsmörk, a world away from the<br />

crowded tourist hot spots.<br />

And weather-permitting, their guests<br />

are honourable spectators to the most<br />

stunning, 360-degree views of the<br />

Northern Lights, straight from their very<br />

own porch- or even better, from inside<br />

the hot tub!


East Iceland,<br />

The County<br />

Less <strong>Travel</strong>led<br />

Tourism to Iceland tends to centre on the<br />

Western side. Reykjavik, the capital is home<br />

to the only international airport and the primary<br />

route into the country. Attractions such as<br />

the blue lagoon and the golden circle trio are<br />

all reachable from Reykjavik. From the capital<br />

activities like northern lights hunting, sledding,<br />

lava walking, fjord tours and horse riding can all<br />

easily be arranged.<br />

All of this is fine and makes for an awesome first<br />

trip to Iceland but if you’re on your second or<br />

third visit to the country then you may want to<br />

consider visiting East of the country. An area that<br />

en<strong>com</strong>passes all the beauty and uniqueness of<br />

Iceland’s stunning landscape.<br />

The East of Iceland for one is full of history, it’s<br />

where the Nordics first settled and an area for<br />

a long time that was prosperous due to fishing.<br />

You can fly in from Reykjavik to Egilsstaoir and<br />

Vopnafjorour or enter on a passenger ferry from<br />

Denmark via the Faroe Islands. The best way<br />

in by far is to drive via the ring road. The drive<br />

is a feast for the eyes as you’ll wind your way<br />

through the stunning countryside and delightful<br />

coastal roads before reaching east Iceland.<br />

There are number of popular attractions<br />

on the East side. The Vatnajokull<br />

National Park makes up 14% of the<br />

country and is perfect for hiking. The<br />

Hallormsstadaskogur National Forest is<br />

a unique experience as it’s one of the<br />

few woodlands in the country owing<br />

to early settlers’ heavy deforestation. A<br />

quad bike tour is a great way to explore<br />

Hallormsstadaskogur forest.<br />

Seyðisfjörður makes a pleasant change<br />

from the solitude of the region. A small<br />

quirky fishing town with a wel<strong>com</strong>ing<br />

population and amazing food.<br />

Alfheimar country hotel, a travel and<br />

hospitality award winner, is one the<br />

finest places to stay in the region with<br />

its <strong>com</strong>fortable rooms and authentic<br />

cuisine (profiled on the next page).


Bakkagerði,<br />

720 Borgarfjörður eystri, Iceland<br />

Tel +354 471 2010<br />

<strong>www</strong>.alfheimar.<strong>com</strong><br />

Álfheimar Country<br />

Hotel<br />

Iceland | Affordable Hotel<br />

In a remote and beautiful part of Eastern Iceland lies Álfheimar, a country hotel<br />

with 32 rooms all with their own ensuite bathroom. The <strong>com</strong>plex is positioned<br />

next to the sea, with spectacular views over the ocean. A delicious breakfast<br />

buffet is included in the room price.<br />

The hotel is located in Borgarfjörður eystri, an authentic fishing village with a<br />

population of only 130 people! Here you get to experience the way of life that<br />

is vastly different from being on the mainland. The locals are known for their<br />

warm manner and wholehearted hospitality and they love showing visitors how<br />

they spent their days. The area has an abundance of natural beauty <strong>com</strong>pletely<br />

untouched by mass tourism.<br />

What makes Álfheimar special is close<br />

proximity to the puffins. If you <strong>com</strong>e in<br />

the summer, you will certainly get up<br />

close and personal with thousands of<br />

birds who <strong>com</strong>e to the area each year to<br />

nest. Thanks to wooden platforms and<br />

a shelter this place has be<strong>com</strong>e a true<br />

puffin paradise.<br />

It’s no question that nature makes this<br />

place unforgettable but so do the people.<br />

Expect to enjoy magnificent views of<br />

deep fjords and imposing mountains<br />

and go on the lookout for the mystic elf<br />

settlements and you get to experience<br />

local folklore firsthand. Head to the<br />

black sand beaches and feel at awe by<br />

the glorious glacier structures and then<br />

<strong>com</strong>e back to the hotel to enjoy a hearty<br />

homemade dinner.<br />

This off-the-beaten-path hotel offers<br />

not only splendid sights but an invitation<br />

for you to truly enjoy yourself and to feel<br />

at home.


Norway<br />

Best time to visit<br />

Favourite place<br />

The breath-taking land<br />

of the Fjords<br />

Between May and October for a<br />

general visit however for to see<br />

the Northern lights the best time<br />

to go would be from January to<br />

April.<br />

Bergen, the city essentially acts<br />

as a gateway to the Western<br />

fjords<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Northern Norway<br />

2. Central Norway<br />

3. Western Norway<br />

4. Southern Norway<br />

5. Eastern Norway<br />

In association with<br />

How to get in<br />

By plane, Oslo airport is an<br />

international hub and is often<br />

used to connect to domestic<br />

flights.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Boat and Train <strong>com</strong>bination tour<br />

from Bergen. The perfect way to<br />

see Fjords.<br />

It is possible to enter via train<br />

through Sweden, services run<br />

mainly from Stockholm and<br />

Gothenburg to Oslo.<br />

There are several roads leading<br />

into the country from Sweden,<br />

Finland and Russia. Ferries<br />

are available from Belgium,<br />

Denmark, Germany and the UK.


Oslo<br />

Photo: VisitOSLO/Tord Baklund<br />

Norway’s capital is a magnificent city with so many<br />

things to do and see. It has a rich history, stunning<br />

scenery and it is a cosmopolitan hub famous for its cuttingedge<br />

architectural style. Between the gorgeous fjord, deep<br />

forests and vibrant city life, there is something here for<br />

everyone<br />

Sauna Scene<br />

As if Oslo’s harbour wasn’t spectacular enough as it was, it<br />

now boasts a new, fascinating pastime. Urban sauna culture<br />

has taken the country by storm and across the harbour<br />

promenade visitors can indulge in one of many different<br />

types of moored or floating saunas. Imagine unwinding and<br />

relaxing in a sauna while it’s.. floating in the Oslo fjord! The<br />

Maken rafts are made with recycled driftwood found in the<br />

fjord and can house up to 12 people. They are located right<br />

next to the Olso Opera House. The same <strong>com</strong>pany also offers<br />

hot tubs and other architect-designed sauna rafts that can<br />

be found alongside the harbour<br />

Imagine unwinding and relaxing in a sauna while it’s.. floating<br />

in the Oslo fjord. That’s exactly what KOK <strong>com</strong>pany promises.<br />

It is a sauna boat that gives customers the opportunity to<br />

enjoy the revitalizing <strong>com</strong>bination of steaming sauna and<br />

refreshing fjord baths all year round- on a floating boat!<br />

Come aboard and leave all troubles behind, sit back, relax<br />

and enjoy the tranquillity in this small urban bubble.<br />

Tjuvholmen<br />

Photo: VisitOSLO/Didrick Stenersen<br />

Roughly translated as Thief-island, Tjuvholmen<br />

is a neighbourhood in the borough Majorstuen,<br />

located on a peninsula that pours into<br />

Oslofjord. Historically, this was an area were<br />

thieves were executed in the 18th century. The<br />

area has gone through major re-development<br />

over the last decade and the finished product<br />

is absolutely stunning. There is plenty to<br />

admire here as the area is characterised by an<br />

intriguing architectural diversity and unique<br />

outdoor spaces. The buildings that make up<br />

the area are drawn by 20 different architects,<br />

creating a distinctive concentrated display of<br />

current trends.<br />

Located near the harbour, the Astrup Fearnley Museum is an<br />

impressive building made up of three pavilions that reside under one<br />

distinctive glass roof shaped like a sail. The exhibitions showcase<br />

a variety of work including pieces by internationally renowned<br />

artists. For an unforgettable stay, the Thief Hotel is a luxurious space<br />

with its very own access to the fjord. Elegantly designed, each<br />

guest room has its own French balcony. The hotel boasts a 160 m²<br />

penthouse suite with a private rooftop terrace and panoramic views.<br />

Tjuvholmen has an array of restaurants, bars and coffee shops as<br />

well as elaborate outdoor spaces, including its very own beach!<br />

Oslobukta<br />

The Bay of Oslo is the cultural hub of the city and it is located just<br />

east of downtown Oslo, part of it occupying Oslo’s harbour area.<br />

Here visitors can explore the mix of world-class restaurants, iconic<br />

artworks, eclectic shops, bustling culture and mesmerizing water<br />

views. In the area of Bjørvika, the admirable Barcode Buildings<br />

can be found right behind the Olso Opera House. This marvellous,<br />

cutting-edge architectural project consists of a row of multipurpose<br />

high-rise buildings divided into narrow strips, creating the<br />

so-called ‘Barcode’. The buildings are very unique-looking and have<br />

been designed by a <strong>com</strong>bination of different architecture firms.<br />

The Munch Museum, dedicated to the work of Edvard Munch can


also be found in this area.<br />

Munch is a highly revered<br />

painter known for his famous<br />

work ‘The Scream’, which<br />

was in fact stolen from the<br />

museum in 2004 and then<br />

later recovered. The museum<br />

consists of paintings, graphical<br />

prints and drawings and there<br />

are audio tours and videos of<br />

the master painter<br />

Oslo may be the Capital of<br />

Norway but what many don’t<br />

know is that it is also the<br />

capital of Norwegian street<br />

food. Discovering Norway’s<br />

food stalls is a must for any<br />

visitor interested in discovering<br />

the enormous versatility of the<br />

culinary culture. Due to weather<br />

frequently being cold, markets<br />

are covered and heated. There<br />

are three main players it this<br />

area, each having something<br />

very unique offer.<br />

Mathallen Food Hall<br />

Mathallen is an indoor food market located in a former factory at Vulkan, between<br />

the east and west of Oslo city centre. It has an array of speciality shops, cafes,<br />

concept boutiques and restaurants to choose from. From seafood to regionally<br />

branded foods, delectable cheese and French cuisine, the vibe is easy-going and<br />

staff are super friendly.<br />

Vippa<br />

Vippa is a food court that is located on the edge of Oslo fjords. It prides itself for<br />

offering sustainable and diverse food and creating an ethical. and multicultural<br />

environment. Open since 2017, they have been on the forefront of promoting the<br />

importance of ecologically sounds methods of sourcing ingredient, <strong>com</strong>posting<br />

and recycling. Like-minded people meet here to discuss and share their thoughts.<br />

The yummy international cuisines on offer include Syrian, Moroccan and Spanish,<br />

to name but a few.<br />

Oslo Street Food<br />

Located right in the city centre, Oslo street food offers delicious international<br />

dishes. The newest addition to the growing street food trend in the city, the venue<br />

boasts 4 bars and 16 different food stalls and has fast be<strong>com</strong>e the city’s melting<br />

pot, attracting a mixed crowd. The food here is of the highest quality including<br />

vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives. On weekends, the venue turns into<br />

a massive club party, with some stalls open late for those post-party munchies.<br />

Adrenaline Rush at Holmenkollen<br />

When in Oslo, paying a visit to the<br />

famous Hollmenkollen ski jump is highly<br />

re<strong>com</strong>mended. The spot is well-known<br />

for hosting different ski-related sports<br />

including international ski-jumping<br />

<strong>com</strong>petitions and is one of the world’s<br />

most visited sporting facilities. Underneath<br />

its imposing structure, the ski museum<br />

presents more than 4,000 years of skiing<br />

history with an observation deck that<br />

boasts magnificent panoramic views of the<br />

entire city.<br />

For adrenaline junkies, the Kollensvevet is<br />

an amazing zipline that takes you from the<br />

very top of the tower to the bottom as if you<br />

were jumping on skis. It is 361 metres long<br />

with an elevation drop of 107 metres. The<br />

ticket includes entry to the ski museum<br />

And for an actual feel of what the skijumping<br />

experience looks like, the Ski<br />

Simulator brings you closer than ever<br />

to the real thing. Slide down the world’s<br />

toughest downhill ski slopes using stateod-the<br />

simulation technology- minus the<br />

frostbites.<br />

Explore sculpture parks<br />

One of Norway’s top tourist<br />

attractions, Vigeland Sculpture Park<br />

attracts more than a million visitors<br />

each year. With a reputation for<br />

containing the ‘weirdest sculptures<br />

in the world’, this is the sole work<br />

of sculptor Gustav Vigeland and<br />

contains more than 200 pieces.<br />

Located in Frogner park, the statues<br />

are made of granite and bronze<br />

and depict various concepts and<br />

ideas in a brutally realistic fashion.<br />

The Monolith, the humongous<br />

centrepiece at the entrance of the<br />

Photo: VisitOSLO/Preben Stene Larsen<br />

Photo: VisitOSLO/Didrick Stenersen<br />

park, is carved out of granite and<br />

portrays 121 figures climbing<br />

in and around each other, all<br />

fighting their way to the top.<br />

A short drive outside Oslo,<br />

Ekebergparken Park is a far less<br />

busy but large park with woods,<br />

wooded trails and plenty of<br />

incredible sculptures spread<br />

around the whole area. Works of<br />

Art here belong to many different<br />

international artists. Visitors<br />

can also immerse themselves<br />

in the stunning scenery. There<br />

are over 40 species of unique<br />

birds and insects as well as long<br />

stretches rock carvings and<br />

ruins from the stone age.


Østensjøveien 43, 0667 Oslo, Norway Tel +47 22 75 30 17 <strong>www</strong>.bergreiser.no/en<br />

Berg Reiser<br />

Norway | Private Tour Company<br />

Berg Reiser is an innovative <strong>Travel</strong> Agent idea currently pioneered in Oslo,<br />

Norway. It is a fantastic way to explore the surrounding area and be<strong>com</strong>e<br />

intimately close with the spectacular natural beauty the country has to offer.<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany offers a very personable introduction to the city of Oslo and prides<br />

itself in employing greener ways of transportation, using trains, trams and buses.<br />

Berg Reiser can organise travel arrangements for individuals, groups and entire<br />

teams.<br />

A local guide can meet you at the airport and ac<strong>com</strong>pany you to your hotel,<br />

then together you can design your adventure. They offer a unique one-day tour<br />

of Oslo, where they take you around some of the most important sights and<br />

landmarks the city has to offer.<br />

This is a private tour limited to 3 people<br />

only so expect an unprecedented level<br />

of intimacy and detail. Visit the top of the<br />

beautiful Opera for some breath-taking<br />

panoramic views of the city, learn about<br />

the art pieces of Ekeberg Sculpture Park<br />

and a short ferry trip to the fortress of<br />

Oscarsbor, where tour guides will help<br />

you immerse yourself in historical facts.<br />

Finally, you can finish the tour by paying<br />

Santa Claus a visit at his very own home<br />

in Drøbak- and feel free to send a letter<br />

back home with Santa’s official stamp!<br />

The <strong>com</strong>pany also offers amazing tours<br />

of the scenic fjords and mountain<br />

areas which include ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />

arrangements and breakfast. They are<br />

happy to tailor their service to meet your<br />

specific needs.


Sweden<br />

Best time to visit<br />

May to September is ideal with<br />

peak sunshine hours ranging<br />

from June to July<br />

Favourite place<br />

Jonkoping, the Jerusalem of<br />

Sweden, a quaint lake town that<br />

hosts a plethora of churches<br />

The Home of<br />

Natural Beauty<br />

Boreal forests, snow-capped<br />

peak, free wandering reindeer,<br />

beautiful beaches and the<br />

midnight sun.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Norrland<br />

2. Svealand<br />

3. Götaland<br />

How to get in<br />

Stockholm serves most major<br />

airlines however for a visit<br />

to Southern Sweden flying<br />

to Copenhagen and then<br />

transferring to train may be more<br />

convenient<br />

Must do activity<br />

Visit a Sauna, the so called<br />

“Sauna Culture” is something a<br />

Scandinavian phenomenon and<br />

a great way to cool off<br />

You can reach Sweden by train<br />

from Denmark, Norway, Germany<br />

and Finland<br />

Ferry is popular option and<br />

available from a host of Northern<br />

<strong>Europe</strong>an countries including<br />

the UK and Germany


Norrland<br />

Meet the Sami<br />

Norrland is one of the three major<br />

regions of Sweden, it’s the least<br />

populated and consists of nine provinces.<br />

The region is well known for its national<br />

parks, northern lights and world-famous<br />

ice hotel.<br />

There is however another unique aspect<br />

of the tourism to Norrland and that is the<br />

opportunity to meet the Sami. Norrland<br />

is home to the Sami people, the Lapland<br />

province is their traditional homeland<br />

but their Sapmi, the cultural region,<br />

en<strong>com</strong>passes the northern parts of<br />

Sweden, Norway and Finland as well as a<br />

small portion of north-eastern Russia. The<br />

Sami are an indigenous people with their<br />

own language, culture and customs. A<br />

good place to start to learn more would be<br />

to visit the Ajtte, a Sami Museum in Kiruna.<br />

Those with more time can experience the<br />

culture for themselves many tour <strong>com</strong>panies<br />

offer such experiences. These involve visiting<br />

Sami families at a Lavvu (a temporary dwelling<br />

like a Tipi) where you can try traditional Sami<br />

food and take part in a Jolk, the Sami way to<br />

musically tell a story and remember the old<br />

ways.<br />

A key tenet of the Sami life is reindeer, herding them on migration<br />

routes and seasonal foraging grounds. Today there are still some<br />

Sami who herd reindeer and during some experience tours one<br />

may be able to feed and pet one. If you want a full-on Reindeer<br />

experience, then the Nutti Sami Siida in Norrbotten county can<br />

arrange a reindeer sledding trip or herding with a Sami guide.<br />

Sami slojd, or handicraft, makes for a unique souvenir that is<br />

traditional and made from natural materials. It usually falls into two<br />

parts hard or soft and can be bought in several of towns and villages<br />

across Norrland as well as Stockholm.


Pike Paradise Lodges, Kusfors,<br />

Northern Sweden<br />

Tel +46 76 76 33 454<br />

<strong>www</strong>.pikeparadise.<strong>com</strong><br />

Pike Paradise Lodge<br />

Sweden | Lodge<br />

Having fallen in love with this wonderful country, so full of life, love and with<br />

equally wild landscape. The owners of Pike Paradise Lodge had a burning<br />

desire to share this incredible and undiscovered experience with you. They want to<br />

introduce you to the country and its people. Northern Sweden and Lapland is an<br />

amazing landscape with a beautiful wildlife and a rich Swedish and Sami culture.”<br />

They bought their first villa because they wanted a place that was affordable for the<br />

average family to <strong>com</strong>e and holiday and to enjoy all that this incredible place has to<br />

offer. As a destination the region is the best kept secret!<br />

You probably know the region for its winter activities, Northern Lights, skiing, ice<br />

fishing, dog Sledding, driving on ice but that is just the icing on the cake. You can<br />

wild swim in the summer or ice-dip in winter. iI is the only region along the Arctic<br />

circle where there are hot summers because of the gulf steam, The Accessible<br />

Arctic! We are perfectly situated for many activities and attractions in the region<br />

and area.<br />

In the summer you can cycle, go for<br />

walks in the forest where you might<br />

just meet a moose, fish salmon or pike<br />

for sport or relaxation, enjoy the prolific<br />

bird life, and the midnight sun in this<br />

beautiful lake district and appreciate the<br />

sounds of silence.<br />

Enjoy home-baked confectionary in<br />

their little local Railway café, with an<br />

atmosphere that exudes the 1940’s.<br />

They regularly hold cultural events. They<br />

have had everything from opera singers,<br />

jazz pianists to rock and roll bands, world<br />

class artists.<br />

Why not workout at the gym above the<br />

café.<br />

The Sami people say that we have eight<br />

seasons and there is something magical<br />

about them all. The weather ranges from<br />

minus 30 degrees C in winter to plus 30<br />

c in summer.


Jonkoping<br />

An Outdoor Holiday<br />

Jonkoping is an exciting city in<br />

Southern Sweden located on the<br />

shores of lake Vattern. The city and<br />

the surrounding county are home to<br />

numerous sights and landmarks but have<br />

recently <strong>com</strong>e onto many traveller’s radar<br />

as an outdoor pursuit’s hotspot.<br />

Jonkoping is easy enough to reach, there<br />

are domestic flights to Jonkoping airport<br />

from Stockholm as well as regular trains<br />

and buses from all over the country.<br />

With Sweden’s second largest lake on<br />

the city’s doorstep it’s no surprise water<br />

sports are a popular past time. You can<br />

rent a canoe or sailboat, take a guided<br />

kayak tour, go for a swim, stand up paddle<br />

board and even do a spot of fishing.<br />

Further out in the surrounding county<br />

there are numerous hiking and biking<br />

trails. Both are a great way to discover<br />

the natural beauty of the area. The village<br />

of Rottle, a popular stop, offers a unique<br />

opportunity to learn about the local<br />

history.<br />

Golfing fans are in luck, Jonkoping is home to world class courses such<br />

as the Sands Golf club and Ryfors golf course.<br />

For something a little more exhilarating why not try rock climbing? There<br />

are several places to climb in Jonkoping. You can find rock faces for all<br />

skill levels and even indoor courses if the weather isn’t quite right.<br />

<strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> winner Vox hotel is the perfect place to rest up and<br />

enjoy some good food after long day of outdoor pursuits. Check out their<br />

profile on the next page.


Lantmätargränd 2, 553 20 Jönköping Tel +46 36 770 00 00 <strong>www</strong>.voxhotel.se<br />

Vox Hotel<br />

Sweden | Design Hotel<br />

Located right in the centre of Jönköping, Vox Hotel offers a selection of<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modation to suit all budgets, from affordable double rooms to elegant<br />

suites with spectacular views. All of their rooms are equipped with Smart TVs,<br />

AC, rain drop shower as well as working spaces. For breathtaking views of Lake<br />

Vättern through floor-to-ceiling windows, opt for their Deluxe rooms. And if you<br />

really want to spoil yourself and your loved one, choose their 80 sq m Grand Vox<br />

Suite, <strong>com</strong>plete with a fireplace and your very own, private sauna and incredible<br />

views of the city and lake. All rooms include breakfast and our guests have daily<br />

access to our well-equipped gym.<br />

Their restaurant can be found just next<br />

to the popular pedestrian street Östra<br />

Storgatan. They take pride in our culinary<br />

creations, not least because we strive<br />

to provide customers with seasonal<br />

and sustainable produce of the highest<br />

quality. They promote New Nordic cuisine<br />

fused with inspiration from a range of<br />

international dishes.<br />

Their Bar and Lounge offer exquisite<br />

cocktails with a twist and it is a great<br />

place to socialise, for both their guests<br />

and locals alike. they also offer a range of<br />

quirky events and original experiences.<br />

Eat mindfully during their ‘No Waste<br />

Breakfast’ scheme or spend your entire<br />

Friday away from the office and treat<br />

yourself to breakfast and lunch on<br />

‘Freelance Friday’!<br />

Vox hotel is easy to find and located 600<br />

meters from the nearest train station<br />

(Jönköpings Resecentrum) and 6 km<br />

from Jönköping Airport.


Berlin, Germany<br />

Central <strong>Europe</strong>


Germany<br />

Best time to visit<br />

Germany is an all year-round destination<br />

with some great seasonal events such as<br />

Oktoberfest and the Christmas markets.<br />

How to get in<br />

The major international airports are<br />

Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Berlin-<br />

Tegel, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart<br />

with the Frankfurt as the main hub for<br />

the country.<br />

Regular train services connect Germany<br />

with all neighbouring countries and even<br />

non neighbouring Italy.<br />

As the de facto centre of <strong>Europe</strong> Germany<br />

is extremely well connected by road.<br />

International ferry services available<br />

mainly from Scandinavia. Routes from<br />

Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland<br />

are all available.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Hamburg, although a less visited city<br />

that some of its major rivals it still packs a<br />

punch with its rich history, architectural<br />

gems and a thriving culinary scene.<br />

Must do activity<br />

History Tour; every region has its own<br />

deep story to tell, a tour with a local<br />

expert is the best way to truly experience<br />

this.<br />

The Centre of <strong>Europe</strong><br />

A high profile and diverse <strong>Europe</strong>an powerhouse,<br />

Germany does not disappoint. Gastronomic delights,<br />

enriching history, a thriving art scene, friendly locals<br />

and architectural gems is just some of what visitors<br />

can expect.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Baden-Württemberg<br />

2. Bavaria<br />

3. Brandenburg<br />

4. Hesse<br />

5. Lower Saxony<br />

6. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern<br />

7. North Rhine-Westphalia<br />

8. Rhineland-Palatinate<br />

9. Saarland<br />

10. Saxony<br />

11. Saxony-Anhalt<br />

12. Schleswig-Holstein<br />

13. Thuringia<br />

In association with


Germany<br />

Image Source: GNTB / Andreas Antoni<br />

The country with 83 million inhabitants<br />

in the middle of <strong>Europe</strong> is particularly<br />

characterised by its diversity. There is<br />

something for everyone in Germany’s<br />

towns and cities – whether it’s the big<br />

city buzz or the famous architecture, the<br />

historic sights or the packed shopping<br />

streets, the enchanting medieval houses<br />

or the scintillating nightlife.<br />

Incredibly, there are more than 10,000<br />

towns and cities in Germany between<br />

the North Sea and the Alps. And each<br />

one has a charm all of its own. In these<br />

vibrant destinations, you can look forward<br />

to concerts, cultural events, and highcalibre<br />

museums. There is also plenty to<br />

discover in the way of monuments and<br />

historical buildings.<br />

Image Source: Getty Images / Matthias Haker Photography<br />

Image Source: GNTB / Francesco Carovillano<br />

Every year, Germany’s biggest and most popular cities attract millions of visitors from all over the world. Everyone from<br />

business travellers and cultural aficionados to shopaholics and party animals will find exactly what they’re looking for.<br />

The Magic Cities lead the way for urban breaks in Germany. Discover the maritime vibe in Hamburg”Maritime City”.<br />

Düsseldorf “City of fashion” is great for shopping, Dresden “City of culture” oozes baroque splendour. Visit the Christmas<br />

market in Nürnberg “City of history”. Discover Bach, books and art nouveauarchitecture in Leipzig “City of music”? Or<br />

how about the Alpine views in Munich “City of lifestyle”? Traditional German cider in Frankfurt “City of art”, musicals in<br />

Stuttgart “City of cars” and chocolate in Cologne “City of exuberance”? Ready for a new adventure? How about a detour<br />

to the beautiful city of Bremen and visit the famous town hall or the statue of the Roland?


In general Germany is a<br />

country with a rich history<br />

and many inspiring stories.<br />

A trip through the historic<br />

towns and cities here<br />

leads you on a journey<br />

of discovery packed with<br />

tales of knights, castles,<br />

love, war and so much<br />

more. And this is exactly<br />

why the medieval old<br />

towns are among the<br />

top holiday destinations.<br />

History <strong>com</strong>es to life here<br />

– day after day.<br />

Whether you are looking<br />

for a short weekend<br />

break or a road trip full<br />

of highlights, you can be<br />

sure to find your perfect<br />

destination on our list of<br />

historic towns and cities<br />

boasting inspiring stories.<br />

Image Source: Getty Images / PPAMPicture<br />

In contrast to the pulsating cities the nature<br />

of Germany offers a perfect balance. You can<br />

find everything: From the beaches of the<br />

North and Baltic Sea to dry rocky landscapes<br />

and the lush forests of the Black Forest.<br />

Destination Germany has a wealth of<br />

natural landscapes, many of them virtually<br />

untouched by the hand of man. Diverse<br />

and often unique flora and fauna create an<br />

unforgettable experience for the visitor.<br />

Germany’s nature parks, biospheres and national parks<br />

– where conservation meets recreation. These precious<br />

havens of natural and man-made landscapes, many of<br />

them the only examples of their kind anywhere in the<br />

world, are here for you to enjoy. These are <strong>com</strong>bined<br />

under the umbrella of “National landscapes”. The brand<br />

provides a platform on which the natural beauty of<br />

Germany can be showcased in all its diversity. Explore<br />

these regions on foot or horseback, by bike or boat.<br />

You’ll be rewarded with unforgettable impressions, a<br />

profound sense of relaxation and a feeling of being at<br />

one with nature.<br />

Image Source: GNTB / Saskia Wehler<br />

Image Source: GNTB / Axel Brunst


Protected natural landscapes<br />

make up one third of Germany’s<br />

land area. Nature conservation and<br />

enjoyment of the great outdoors<br />

go hand in hand in more than 130<br />

large-scale designated protected<br />

areas: Innovative experiences such<br />

as dark sky parks and treetop walks<br />

offer up in-depth and eco-minded<br />

insights into the natural world.<br />

Ac<strong>com</strong>modation and restaurants<br />

<strong>com</strong>mitted to sustainable<br />

management find ways to treat<br />

their guests, even with a small<br />

carbon footprint. Tourists seeking<br />

an active holiday are sure to find the<br />

right route for them in the 12,000<br />

kilometres of high-quality cycle<br />

paths and the 200,000-kilometre<br />

network of hiking trails. More than<br />

250 health spas and spa towns in<br />

Germany provide pure relaxation<br />

and work wonders for the body<br />

and soul with natural remedies and<br />

relaxation methods.<br />

Image Source: GNTB / Francesco Carovillano<br />

Image Source: German Roamers / Leo Thomas<br />

Image Source: Getty Images / justhavealook<br />

Looking at <strong>2020</strong>, Germany is celebrating<br />

Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Few<br />

<strong>com</strong>posers have remained relevant as<br />

long as Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-<br />

1827). He left behind more than 300 works<br />

including symphonies, piano concertos,<br />

string quartets, a violin concerto and an<br />

opera. His music was often passionate<br />

and dramatic and at the same time lyrical<br />

and romantic. But most of all, it was<br />

unpredictable and therefore often ahead<br />

of its time and to this day still unites<br />

people all over the world.<br />

A glance at the <strong>com</strong>ing months shows<br />

the many ways in which the master and<br />

his work will be honoured in his birth<br />

city of Bonn and other places. To enjoy<br />

the genius and his multitude of work<br />

you could listen to some of the virtual<br />

performances online or digitally visit<br />

his birthplace, the Beethoven House, in<br />

which his life and work is described. The<br />

house is one of Bonn’s landmarks and<br />

offers an extensive virtual tour so you<br />

could catch a glimpse of his formative<br />

life from the <strong>com</strong>fort of your own home.<br />

Image Source: Beethoven Jubiläums<br />

Gesellschaft gGmbH / Sonja Werner<br />

And you don‘t have to do without the<br />

sound of his music either. Virtual concerts<br />

allow you to enjoy the work, interpreted in<br />

a variety of ways, easier than ever.<br />

Throughout the year, you can be inspired<br />

by milestones in history, personal stories<br />

and be moved by music.<br />

<strong>www</strong>.germany.travel


Baden Wurttenburg<br />

Our one to Watch<br />

Whether you go to enjoy the<br />

landscapes, the culture, art,<br />

nature or for pure personal indulgence<br />

and relaxation: In Baden-Württemberg<br />

you will find just what you have been<br />

looking for. The State offers a variety<br />

which is second to none. With over 50<br />

million overnight stays (2015), Baden-<br />

Württemberg is the second most popular<br />

travel destination in Germany. We look<br />

forward to the opportunity to wel<strong>com</strong>e<br />

you to our homeland and to introduce<br />

you to the many qualities our State has to<br />

offer.<br />

An attractive living environment, an<br />

unspoilt natural habitat and a wealth of<br />

art and culture, no shortage of festivities<br />

and leisure facilities provides the ideal<br />

balance to the often stressful daily grind<br />

of work. Culinary enjoyment in the form of<br />

good food and excellent wines is all part<br />

and parcel of the experience. All of these<br />

facets make Baden-Württemberg what it<br />

is - a place with unlimited experiences to<br />

offer.<br />

Klostergasse 2, 79400 Kandern, Germany Tel +49 1520 1945145 <strong>www</strong>.aissa.de<br />

Haus Aissa<br />

Germany | Country Apartments<br />

Haus Aissa is a beautiful apartment in the city of Kandern, in the Baden-<br />

Württemberg region. The ac<strong>com</strong>modation is 47 km from Colmar and 19 km<br />

from Basel. The apartment has two bedrooms, one with 2 single beds and one<br />

with 1 double. (There is a large, spacious living room) with open fireplace and<br />

a dining area and a kitchen. The apartment <strong>com</strong>e with a flat-screen TV with<br />

satellite channels and guest benefit from free WIFI and onsite parking. There is<br />

also a private bathroom with a bath.<br />

There are a range of activities guests can choose to partake in, from live and<br />

music performances in nearby venues to bike and walking tours for exploring the<br />

surrounding area. Hiking is popular with outdoor enthusiasts and there is even<br />

a golf course within 3 km from the property, as well as a tennis court. There is a<br />

grocery and ATM nearby.


Switzerland<br />

Best time to visit<br />

January through to March for<br />

a winter sports trip whereas<br />

June to September is ideal for a<br />

summer outdoor activities and<br />

general tourism.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Zermatt, a picturesque village in<br />

the Alps, perfect for skiing and<br />

mountaineering on the worldfamous<br />

Matterhorn.<br />

The Eclectic Nation<br />

This mountainous country,<br />

famous for its chocolate and<br />

watches, is in fact the perfect<br />

place to experience a diverse<br />

set of <strong>Europe</strong>an languages and<br />

cultures. Swiss-German to the<br />

Northeast, the French style<br />

calm in the Southwest, Italian<br />

dynamism in the South East and<br />

finally Romansh spoken in the<br />

Canton of Grisons.<br />

How to get in<br />

Zurich, Geneva and Basel are<br />

all well served major airport’s<br />

however Milan (Italy) and Lyon<br />

(France) are also feasible options<br />

to fly in but will involve a train<br />

journey or car rental to <strong>com</strong>plete<br />

the journey.<br />

Train from all over <strong>Europe</strong> arrive<br />

in Switzerland, it’s essentially a<br />

hub for the continents railways<br />

system.<br />

It is fairly easy to drive in or enter<br />

by bus from Germany, Austria,<br />

Italy and Liechtenstein.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Chocolate Tasting; swiss<br />

chocolate is the best in the world<br />

and no trip is <strong>com</strong>plete without<br />

trying a few pieces.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Eastern Switzerland<br />

2. Zürich<br />

3. Central Switzerland<br />

4. Northwestern Switzerland<br />

5. Espace Mittelland<br />

6. Région lémanique<br />

7. Ticino


Switzerland<br />

Safely landlocked between France,<br />

Germany, Austria and Italy, Switzerland<br />

is one of the most diverse and politically<br />

stable countries on Earth. With a <strong>com</strong>bination<br />

of truly jaw-dropping scenery and plenty of<br />

cities steeped in history, the country offers<br />

unparalleled dimensions of experience.<br />

The great outdoors<br />

Switzerland has enchanting landscapes<br />

that undergo dramatic transformations as<br />

the seasons change. Scenic landmarks are<br />

everywhere you look. Take the Matterhorn<br />

mountain for example. Known as the most<br />

photographed mountain in the world,<br />

Matterhorn gigantic and imposing structure<br />

is Switzerland’s trademark stamp. Notoriously<br />

difficult to climb, it has be<strong>com</strong>e somewhat of<br />

a legend amongst ambitious mountaineers.<br />

Climbing to the top is not necessary of<br />

course - most visitors simply want to admire<br />

its majestic looks from afar and this is very<br />

possible by taking the aerial cable car in<br />

Zermatt and gliding all the way to Klein-<br />

Matterhorn mountain station. Here you can<br />

snap this legend in all its glory.<br />

The Lake in Lungern is what fairy tales are<br />

made of. On a good day, the crystal-clear<br />

water perfectly reflects the snow-white<br />

mountain tips and surrounding landscapes.<br />

The water in the lake is 100% drinkable and<br />

depending on weather the secluded area is<br />

popular amongst windsurfers and even local<br />

fishermen. There is a clear path around the<br />

lake, good for walking or biking.<br />

A world of Wonders<br />

Despite its relatively small size, Switzerland proudly claims no less than<br />

12 Unesco Heritage sites, making it renowned for its cultural heritage.<br />

Housing the world’s largest and best-preserved early medieval picture<br />

cycles, the internationally-renowned Convent of St. John in Müstair<br />

is one of the few existing architectural examples from the Carolingian<br />

period. Originally built as a monastery, the <strong>com</strong>plex has always been<br />

lived in by nuns since the 12th century. The beautifully preserved Planta<br />

tower is now an exhibition space, presenting visitors with 1200 years of<br />

monastic and architectural history. Visitors also have the opportunity<br />

to stay and get a real glimpse of monastic life in simple but <strong>com</strong>fortable<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modation. They can choose how much they wish to participate<br />

in everyday life and there are regular professionally- facilitated fasting<br />

weeks.<br />

The “Wild West” of Lucerne is Switzerland’s first biosphere reserve<br />

and offers natural beauty at its finest. More than. quarter of the area is<br />

covered with moor landscapes that are nationally protected. This area<br />

of 400 square kilometres consists of fantastical landscapes, stunning<br />

moorlands, idyllic Alpine meadows and the majestic Schrattenfluh<br />

imbue the area with a sense of vast tranquillity. Visitors here can<br />

choose from a variety of unique activities including the famous fairy<br />

tale trails, mud baths and even learning the ancient craft of charcoal<br />

burning.


Due to its medieval townscape, the old city of Bern is one<br />

of the most admired UNESCO sites. Encircled by the Aare<br />

River, this quaint old town offers spectacular views of the<br />

Alps. It boasts over 6 kilometres of medieval arcades and<br />

limestone buildings as well as a number of architectural<br />

gems, including the Clock Tower (Zytglogge), the Prison<br />

Tower (Käfigturm) and a beautiful cathedral. The river is<br />

the perfect place for summer recreational activities like<br />

swimming and boating.<br />

Heidi’s World<br />

The story of Heidi, the little orphan girl made famous by the<br />

novels of writer Johanna Spyri, <strong>com</strong>es to life in Maienfeld<br />

in the distinctive Bündner Herrschaft region of Graubünden.<br />

Immerse yourself in the story of this nature-loving girl as<br />

she endures trials and tribulations and learns about love,<br />

trust and betrayal. The village features many exact replicas<br />

of the original story including the Alp cottage, where Heidi<br />

spent many loving summers with her grandfather. Visitors<br />

can be transported back in time thanks to state-of-theart<br />

audio-visual technology and really feel what it was like<br />

living in the late eighteen hundreds. Visitors can also learn<br />

traditional arts and crafts of that era and even get up close<br />

and personal with farm animals.<br />

Reinfall<br />

The Rhine Falls offer spectacular beauty that is very<br />

hard to beat. Created from tectonic shifts during the<br />

Ice Age, this is <strong>Europe</strong>’s largest waterfall and attracts<br />

thousands of visitors each month, not least due to its<br />

unique breath-taking natural attractiveness. Right<br />

in the middle of it proudly stands a mighty rock. The<br />

nearby castles of Wörth and Laufen can be reached by<br />

boat or even by canoe, for those more daring visitors.<br />

The town of Gruyères<br />

Right in the heart of Switzerland,<br />

the medieval town of Gruyères<br />

is an important tourist location<br />

with so much to offer. This<br />

800-year old town immediately<br />

transports you back in time.<br />

Most buildings here retained<br />

their original charm. All the way<br />

up the hill, the castle dominates<br />

the entire city with its medieval<br />

grandeur. Inside, guests can<br />

visit the castle museum and<br />

learn about the history of<br />

Gruyères and its inhabitants.<br />

The city is also somewhat of<br />

a gastronomical paradise and<br />

the origin of Switzerland’s most<br />

famous cheese: Gruyères! A<br />

visit to the local cheese factory<br />

is a must when visiting the city:<br />

learn the traditional ways of<br />

making the famous round slabs<br />

and taste the unique flavours of<br />

this classic delicacy.<br />

Bernina Express<br />

The incredible Bernina express is a fabulous way to cross the Alps. It runs between<br />

Chur in Switzerland and Tirano in northern Italy and this narrow train winds nicely<br />

through spectacular scenery. This is possibly the most scenic train route in the<br />

world. It climbs up the gleaming glaciers before descending down to the palm trees<br />

of Italy, passing at least 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges on its way. Passengers are<br />

treated to spectacular sites like the Montebello curve and the Morteratsch glacier.<br />

Swiss Alps<br />

Switzerland’s abundance of snow-capped mountain peaks makes it an ideal location<br />

for ski and winter sports lovers. In fact, the Swiss Alps are a skier’s paradise and<br />

thousands flock each year to savour the magnificent glistening slopes. There are<br />

numerous resorts to choose from depending on preference, from powder-like snow<br />

to well-defined trails. With so much choice, learners and beginners can master the<br />

skill while more experienced users may choose adrenaline-filled slopes at dizzying<br />

heights. There is a fantastic network of lifts that connect the different sites and<br />

panoramic views are breath-taking and ubiquitous.


Lucerne, Switzerland Tel +0041 79 286 0451 <strong>www</strong>.typicallyswisstours.<strong>com</strong><br />

Typically Swiss<br />

Tours and More<br />

Switzerland | Private Tour Company<br />

Typically Swiss Tours based in Luzern, Central Switzerland, aims to provide<br />

clients with authentic and breathtaking tours in Switzerland. It was formed<br />

in 2018 by Chris Wilson, an Englishman working in Sports Events Management in<br />

Switzerland for 20 years.<br />

Chris felt there was a niche for private and exclusive tours for families and<br />

friends in Switzerland. A Mercedes Van was purchased, tours were researched<br />

and created to showcase not just the touristy parts of this beautiful country, but<br />

the authentic and “Typically Swiss” parts that aren’t explored much by tourists.<br />

These are the real gems of Switzerland.<br />

Tours visit the mesmerising Swiss Alps<br />

for awesome vistas, stunning lakes<br />

and waterfalls, cheese, chocolate<br />

and penknife factories, and historic<br />

towns and cities such as Luzern and<br />

Bern. Feedback from clients has been<br />

tremendous and Typically Swiss Tours is<br />

going from strength to strength.<br />

If you are visiting Switzerland and want<br />

to see the “real” Switzerland, contact<br />

Chris at Typically Swiss Tours. He will<br />

customise a tour to your wishes and<br />

make sure you remember your trip to<br />

Switzerland for a very long time.


Switzerland Top 5<br />

Switzerland is a small landlocked<br />

nation sitting at the heart of<br />

<strong>Europe</strong>. But don’t let its small size fool<br />

you, for this country has more than<br />

enough on offer to <strong>com</strong>pete with its<br />

larger neighbours.<br />

Switzerland’s picturesque mountains,<br />

stunning lakes, emerald valleys,<br />

expansive greenery are so picture<br />

perfect they appear to have been<br />

plucked from a postcard. To add to this<br />

the country is home to an excellent<br />

culinary scene, and rich history so you<br />

will never be without anything to do.<br />

Combine all of this with the diverse<br />

culture, set around four languages,<br />

and you’ll quickly realise there isn’t<br />

any country in the world quite like<br />

Switzerland.<br />

Putting together our list of the best<br />

things to do was tricky because<br />

Switzerland offers so much. But we<br />

managed to narrow it down.<br />

Try the Chocolate<br />

No doubt Swiss chocolate is a rival to<br />

Belgium for the world finest. A trip to<br />

Switzerland isn’t <strong>com</strong>plete without<br />

trying some. Popular local brands<br />

include Lindt, Teuscher, Sprungli and<br />

Laderach. Chocolate workshops are<br />

a great way to learn more about how<br />

it’s all made and experience a little<br />

bit of it for yourself.<br />

Take a Train Jungfraujoch<br />

Jungfrauoch in Bernese Oberland is<br />

the highest railway station in <strong>Europe</strong><br />

sitting 3,454 metres above sea level.<br />

At the station there is an observation<br />

deck; a perfect place to take a<br />

picture and enjoy the splendour of<br />

the surrounding mountains.<br />

Explore Appenzell<br />

A lesser known canton in the north<br />

east of Switzerland that embodies<br />

the countries cultural traditions<br />

and customs. The region is home<br />

to several charming villages nestled<br />

amongst endless rolling green<br />

hills. The village of choice for most<br />

is named Appenzall, here you’ll<br />

find colourfully painted houses,<br />

quaint parish churches, historic<br />

monuments, a lively village square<br />

and traditional swiss cheese.


Gassa da Cuoz 3, 7186 Segnas,<br />

Switzerland<br />

Tel +41 81 925 33 33<br />

<strong>www</strong>.pazzola.ch<br />

Stroll the GoldenPass Line<br />

A scenic train route through Switzerland and a great opportunity to see some<br />

of the country’s iconic scenery. The journey between Lucerne and Montreux<br />

will take you through six cantons via three mountain passes. You’ll pass idyllic<br />

lakes, waterfalls and valleys. Just remember that the journey isn’t direct, and<br />

changes will be required at Interlaken and Zweisimmen.<br />

Go on a cruise<br />

This one may <strong>com</strong>e as a bit of<br />

surprise given that Switzerland is<br />

landlocked however it’s worth noting<br />

the country is home to thousands of<br />

lakes. Lake Lucerne, is arguably, the<br />

best for a cruise. It’s surrounded by<br />

striking snowy peaks and there are<br />

several cruises operating throughout<br />

the year. The cruises offer on board<br />

restaurants, show evenings and<br />

open decks.<br />

Typically swiss tours (profiled on page<br />

), a travel and hospitality awards<br />

winner, are happy to wel<strong>com</strong>e you<br />

and take care of any touring needs.<br />

Hotel Pazzola<br />

Switzerland | Country Hotel<br />

The beautiful located Hotel & Restaurant Pazzola in Disentis, is a jewel in the<br />

Bündner-Oberland. The well-positioned hotel overlooks the Medelser Glacier<br />

and our local Mountain “Pazzola”. The Hotel includes 2 Apartments and12 Double<br />

Bedrooms all with balconies. You are directly located in the skiing and hiking<br />

area of Disentis. With our Shuttle-Bus, we take you free of charge to the next<br />

Ski-Station Disentis and offer a free shuttle bus from the train station.<br />

They offer a special Half Board package which includes a high-quality 3-course<br />

evening menu. Quality, Service, and Support are not only keywords, but they are also<br />

our three pillars. Numerous excursions and leisure activities in and around Disentis<br />

are offered to you. The holiday region Surselva is a beautiful spot for all ages.<br />

They speak 5 languages fluently : English, Spanish, Russian, French, German


Austria<br />

Best time to visit<br />

From May to September when<br />

the weather is pleasant although<br />

if you’re visiting to enjoy the<br />

winter sports then January-<br />

February is ideal.<br />

How to get in<br />

The major international airport<br />

in the country is Vienna with<br />

some smaller airports served<br />

seasonally such as Innsbruck<br />

and Salzburg. One option is to<br />

fly into Munich (Germany) and<br />

<strong>com</strong>plete the journey via train or<br />

car rental.<br />

There are plenty of daily train<br />

connection between Austria and<br />

all its neighbouring states.<br />

Austria is extremely well<br />

connected by road with all its<br />

neighbours.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Kaprun; A quaint town sitting<br />

at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn<br />

Glacier, a perfect base for both<br />

winter and summer sports.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Skiing, no trip would be <strong>com</strong>plete<br />

without a visit to the famous<br />

Austrian alps ski resorts.<br />

Famously Beautiful<br />

A perfect blend of stunning<br />

natural landscapes, enthralling<br />

outdoor pursuits and historic<br />

urban centres.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Burgenland<br />

2. Vienna<br />

3. Lower Austria<br />

4. Carinthia<br />

5. Styria<br />

6. Upper Austria<br />

7. Salzburg<br />

8. Tyrol<br />

9. Vorarlberg<br />

In association with


Austria<br />

A<br />

vibrant cast of culture, cuisine, and cool in a<br />

trio of Austrian cities.<br />

Whoever coined the phrase “Good things <strong>com</strong>e in<br />

threes” likely didn’t realise the truth this rings when<br />

applied to a round trip through Austria. While long<br />

hailed as a premiere destination for its stunning<br />

natural settings, which offer a year-round backdrop<br />

for outdoor recreation – world-class skiing in the<br />

winter, and a host of hiking and lakeside pleasures<br />

in the summer – Austria’s enchanting cities are<br />

also worth a starring role in this alpine country’s<br />

blockbuster visitor offerings. Salzburg, nicknamed<br />

‘Stage of the World’, with its baroque beauty and<br />

musical score which seems to thread through<br />

much of its history, delights guests with some<br />

4,500 cultural events annually. Graz, Austria’s<br />

second largest city, surprises with its foodie flair,<br />

laid-back attitude, and eye-catching architecture<br />

making many a self-guided sightseeing tour deviate<br />

off script to discover a hidden gem or two. And,<br />

<strong>com</strong>bining a young urban feel with a cool alpine vibe,<br />

Innsbruck truly lives up to its billing as ‘Jewel of the<br />

Alps’ in its enviable location hugged by mountains<br />

that beckon exploration and set the scene for this<br />

Tirolean capital city.<br />

Salzburg<br />

Salzburg has long been a favourite location of<br />

the cinematic world - with of course The Sound of<br />

Music its most notable production – and one stroll<br />

around this walkable city shows any visitor why.<br />

Attractively situated on the banks of the Salzach<br />

River, with its Old Town streets and alleyways<br />

watched over by the Hohensalzburg Fortress,<br />

the largest, fully preserved medieval castle in<br />

<strong>Europe</strong> situated on a hill high above the city, it’s<br />

no surprise that Salzburg is well-deserving of<br />

its nod by UNESCO World Heritage. In summer,<br />

the soundtrack to this city rings everywhere –<br />

from Mozart’s birth house at No. 9 along one of<br />

Salzburg’s most famous pedestrian streets, the<br />

Getreidegasse, to the many cultural events that<br />

take place during the summer months.<br />

Among the most well-known is the Salzburg Festival, celebrating<br />

music and drama, and this year in its 99th installment when the<br />

curtain rises on 20 July, 2019.<br />

It would be amiss not to also sing the praises of this ‘green’ city with<br />

plenty of parks and the natural oasis of local mountains, pastures<br />

and forests that surround Salzburg. Whether simply out for a fresh<br />

air ramble, a leisurely cycle, or for those with the endurance for a<br />

marathon, Salzburg offers plenty of recreational diversion as well.<br />

One of the best tips to make the most of your stay is the costsaving<br />

Salzburg Card which offers free admission to a host of city<br />

attractions, as well as <strong>com</strong>plimentary use of public transportation<br />

and a variety of other discounts (valid for choice of 24/48/72 hrs).<br />

Graz<br />

There’s nothing better than being unexpectedly delighted and<br />

thoroughly captivated on any travel itinerary. In fact, maybe<br />

even left wondering why you hadn’t known of this gem before.<br />

In entertainment, it’s sometimes referred to as a ‘sleeper hit’.<br />

The southerly Austrian city of Graz with its charming laid-back<br />

attitude firmly knows that dining al fresco goes hand-in-hand with<br />

its sunny Mediterranean-influenced climate; that architecture<br />

is best contemplated through the striking <strong>com</strong>ing together of<br />

historical heritage and avant-garde new designs; and that culture<br />

transcends age with its calendar of events often held at out-ofthe-ordinary<br />

locations.


Much on the summertime<br />

programme also highlights Graz’s<br />

well-respected culinary scene<br />

- if food is a way to everyone’s<br />

heart then it’s hard not to fall<br />

in love with this Styrian capital<br />

city. From restaurants helmed<br />

by internationally-recognised<br />

chefs, to local haunts, to<br />

enticing sidewalk cafes, to<br />

festivals celebrating all things<br />

gastronomic, this UNESCOrecognised<br />

destination, with<br />

its landmark Clock Tower<br />

overlooking the city, knows the<br />

recipe to the good-life and is<br />

happy to take all the time it needs<br />

to give visitors a taste.<br />

Innsbruck<br />

The kind of mountains you well imagine in Austria ring the cool<br />

and chic city of Innsbruck which sits at the heart of the Tirol. As<br />

the host city of two Olympic Winter Games, this former imperial<br />

capital, once a favourite of Emperor Maximilian I, can definitely<br />

be lauded for giving summer the royal treatment as well. In fact,<br />

you couldn’t write a better summertime script if you tried – in the<br />

morning, explore this unique and appealing city influenced by<br />

not only by nature and a strong tradition, but also by its urban<br />

draws and sporting appeal which includes leisurely recreation<br />

as well as many organised events from trail running to mountain<br />

biking to urban obstacle courses (cool!) Then, in the afternoon,<br />

experience the futuristic vision of the late architect Zaha Hadid on<br />

the Hungerburg Funicular which transports visitors from the city<br />

center to the Nordkette mountain range in just minutes.<br />

From here, easily connect to the mountain cable car system taking<br />

guests to its highest point of 2300m from where the 360-degree<br />

panoramic views showcase this stunning region dotted with<br />

holiday villages. Once back down on the ground, though perhaps<br />

with your head still a bit in the clouds from the beauty of all of<br />

it, end the day in atmospheric Innsbruck doing some shopping<br />

or taking a coffee break along the broad pedestrian ways of<br />

Maria Theresien Street, and don’t miss a visit to Innsbruck’s most<br />

famous sight – the Golden Roof, tucked away in the Old Town and<br />

a reminder of Innsbruck’s rich imperial history.<br />

Three amazing cities - all worth a viewing this<br />

summer, so…do the sounds of Salzburg lure as a<br />

cultural A-lister? Will Graz tempt the palate and<br />

the soul with its laissez-faire attitude and sunny<br />

disposition? Or does Innsbruck reign supreme with<br />

its cool, alpine feel? You can always return for a<br />

sequel…


Croatia<br />

Best time to visit<br />

Between April and September<br />

when the weather is pleasant.<br />

How to get in<br />

Zagreb is the main airport with<br />

regular flights from within <strong>Europe</strong>,<br />

non-<strong>Europe</strong>an flights <strong>com</strong>ing in<br />

from Qatar, Dubai, Tel-Aviv, Seoul<br />

and Toronto. Low-cost carrier<br />

flights are available seasonally to<br />

Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar.<br />

Trains are available from<br />

neighbouring Slovenia, Hungary<br />

and Serbia. This is mainly to<br />

Zagreb which connects to all<br />

major cities except Dubrovnik.<br />

Ferries are available only from<br />

Italy.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Dubrovnik Old Town; A historic<br />

coastal city and world heritage<br />

site. Famous in part for it’s role<br />

as the setting for Kings Landing<br />

in Game of Thrones.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Wine Tasting; Croatian wine is<br />

somewhat of a hidden gem and<br />

the country produces a broad<br />

palette of high-quality wines.<br />

<strong>Europe</strong>’s fastest-rising<br />

holiday destination<br />

Despite being famously known for Game of Thrones,<br />

Croatia has much to offer in the way of unique<br />

character, culinary delights, rural vineyards and<br />

historical centres.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. Bjelovar-Bilogora<br />

2. Brod-Posavina<br />

3. Dubrovnik-Neretva<br />

4. Istria<br />

5. Karlovac<br />

6. Koprivnica-Križevci<br />

7. Krapina-Zagorje<br />

8. Lika-Senj<br />

9. Međimurje<br />

10. Osijek-Baranja<br />

11. Požega-Slavonia<br />

In association with<br />

12. Primorje-Gorski Kotar<br />

13. Šibenik-Knin<br />

14. Sisak-Moslavina<br />

15. Split-Dalmatia<br />

16. Varaždin<br />

17. Virovitica-Podravina<br />

18. Vukovar-Syrmia<br />

19. Zadar<br />

20. Zagreb<br />

21. City of Zagreb


Croatia<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Luka Esenko (CNTB)<br />

Croatia might as well be known as the secret jewel of the<br />

Mediterranean. It still remains unspoiled by tourism<br />

not least because of the country’s excellent infrastructure<br />

and despite the magnificent paradise-like sceneries that<br />

can be found in almost every corner. Enclosed by the<br />

Adriatic Sea, Croatia has no shortage of stunning beaches<br />

and truly unpolluted luscious sea. Beach paradise aside,<br />

the country has a vast array of exceptional biodiversity, an<br />

enviably rich cultural history and a delicious Mediterranean<br />

climate, making it a very versatile destination. With gorgeous<br />

seas and formidable rocky mountains it is easy to see why<br />

sports and outdoors enthusiasts choose Croatia to satisfy<br />

their adventure needs.<br />

The Capital<br />

The thousand-year-old capital city of Zagreb is the epitome<br />

of a modern metropolis. A perfect mixture of old and new,<br />

strolling around the cobblestone streets is the best way to<br />

explore the surrounding area. The city’s neo baroque and<br />

art deco buildings are a feast to the eyes and so are the<br />

ubiquitous church spires. Right in the centre and only a<br />

few meters from the famous Jelačić square is Dolac, the<br />

most colourful open- air market in this part of <strong>Europe</strong>. With<br />

a true abundance of museums, galleries, theatres and art<br />

houses, Zagreb attracts a versatile tourist crowd, ranging<br />

from young hipsters to seasoned travellers.<br />

Culture and Heritage<br />

With a fascinating history and rich cultural<br />

diversity, it may <strong>com</strong>e as no surprise that Croatia<br />

is home to at least 10 UNESCO recognised sites,<br />

with more waiting to be approved. There is<br />

plenty to savour here, including historical grand<br />

palaces and medieval churches.<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Luka Esenko (CNTB)<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Luka Esenko (CNTB)<br />

The National Park Plitvice Lakes is a majestic structure that<br />

consists of lake gardens connected by cascades and hugged<br />

by stunning mountain forests. This mysterious geological<br />

phenomenon is mythically attributed to the Black Queen who,<br />

following a long drought, let tremendous rain fall on the ground<br />

with the remaining water creating multiple lakes. The Diocletian<br />

Palace is a huge, fortress-like palace which was the last abode of<br />

the Roman Emperor. The cathedral was built in the Middle Ages by<br />

using materials from an ancient mausoleum and the style signifies<br />

the beginning of early-Christian, Byzantine and early.


Photo credit:<br />

Maja Danica Pecanic (CNTB)<br />

Split<br />

Split is the second largest city in Croatia<br />

and apart from the magnificent palace<br />

it has plenty to offer. The city is big and<br />

bustling with exceptional architecture. It is<br />

located between mountains and sea and<br />

it features a bustling waterfall, a stunning<br />

Old Square and plenty of delicious seafood<br />

restaurants. For a breath-taking view of<br />

the whole city, head to Prva Vidilica Na<br />

Marjanu viewpoint for some unforgettable<br />

snaps.<br />

Cuisine<br />

One of the most fascinating things about<br />

Croatian gastronomy is how vastly it varies<br />

according to region. Almost every region<br />

literally has its own signature dish- and<br />

they all are delicious too! Not to mention<br />

the flavours are influenced by numerous<br />

neighbouring countries with centuries of<br />

tradition. To experience a truly Croatian way<br />

of cooking food, trying a dish that has been<br />

prepared ‘under the bell’ is an absolute<br />

must.<br />

Cooked over an open flame, in a clay or wrought-iron<br />

baking vessel, this roasting method can take a few hours.<br />

But the final, mouth-watering dish (often succulent<br />

meat with potatoes cooked in meat juice) is well worth<br />

the wait. Another delectable specialty is Fiš-paprikaš, a<br />

fish stew eaten in Slavonia and Baranja. It is traditionally<br />

made in a copper cauldron suspended above an open<br />

flame and consists of dices of freshwater fish cooked in<br />

sweet and spicy paprika from Baranja.<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Maja Danica Pecanic (CNTB)<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Maja Danica Pecanic (CNTB)


Paradise on Earth<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Aleksandar Gospic (CNTB)<br />

No visit to this amazing country would be <strong>com</strong>plete without exploring<br />

some of the stunning beaches it has to offer. With over 1,200 islands<br />

Croatia has a wealth of different beaches, most of which have blueflag<br />

status, guaranteeing water quality, safety and services. The<br />

beaches are as diverse as the country itself. Some boast tropicalstyle<br />

sceneries, white sands and aquamarine waters while others are<br />

covered in pebbles, not to mention romantic beaches, hidden beaches<br />

and ones devoted to naturism, a trend that Croatia is rather renowned<br />

for. With so much on offer, here are some of the best<br />

Sakarun Beach<br />

Located on the northwest coast of<br />

Dugi Otok island, Sakarun Beach is an<br />

800 meters long sandy beach with a<br />

particularly vivid blue colour. This is<br />

one of the most beautiful beaches<br />

in the whole country with a much<br />

calmer vibe. Surrounded by pine<br />

forests, this is the perfect sanctuary<br />

for those who long for relaxation and<br />

tranquillity.<br />

Bačvice Beach<br />

Nicknamed Split’s very own<br />

Copacabana, Bacvice is a natural<br />

wonder: a white sandy beach in<br />

the heart of the city. It’s a favourite<br />

amongst locals, who are often seen<br />

playing picigin, the traditional water<br />

sport involving bouncing a ball with<br />

your hands with the aim of keeping it<br />

in the air as long as possible. There<br />

are numerous restaurants and cafes<br />

and at night it turns into a gathering<br />

post for youngsters.<br />

Stiniva Beach<br />

Due to an inlet of the sea, surrounded by high cliffs that<br />

hide the beach, Stiniva on the island of Vis is hardly visible<br />

from the open sea. However, access from the sea is ideal<br />

for reaching Stiniva beach. There is also a demanding 20<br />

minutes access by foot which literally follows the goat track.<br />

Stiniva beach is surrounded by steep cliffs so that half of the<br />

beach is always in the shade. Stiniva is a pebble beach for<br />

lovers of the beautiful clean sea and of the wild landscape.<br />

Sveti Ivan Beach<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Ivo Biocina (CNTB)<br />

St John’s beach is located in a cove at the foot of Lubenice<br />

and it boasts fine white pebbles and true peace and<br />

quiet. There aren’t many bathers here, partly due to its<br />

inaccessibility. You get to it by descending down a steep trail<br />

or from the sea by boat.<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Aleksandar Gospic (CNTB)<br />

Zlatni Rat beach<br />

Photo credit:<br />

Zoran Jelaca (CNTB)<br />

The Zlatni rat beach is one of the most beautiful<br />

beaches on the Croatian coastline, located on the<br />

Island Brac. It was created by deposits of fine pebbles<br />

as sediment around the underwater reef, spreading as<br />

a small tongue as much as 500 metres into the sea.<br />

The very tip of Zlatni rat keeps changing its shape<br />

constantly due to the influence of winds, waves and<br />

sea currents, making it appear different and repeatedly<br />

interesting. This location is a protected natural area<br />

and a favourite spot for surfers and kite-surfers from<br />

around the globe. You can reach the beach either by<br />

car or by a 20-minute walk along the sea from Bol.<br />

During the summer months, every half an hour there<br />

is a small tourist train going to the beach, as well as<br />

tourist boats that take off from the port of Bol.


Dalmatia, Croatia Tel +385 99 424 44 90 <strong>www</strong>.fourseasons.hr<br />

Four Seasons<br />

<strong>Travel</strong> Croatia<br />

Croatia | Private Tour Company<br />

They invest large amounts of effort into<br />

finding new ideas and inspiration, so they<br />

can pass on their passion for experiential<br />

travel to any of their current and future<br />

customers. From this point on, they make<br />

a promise to continue growing both<br />

as individuals and as a team and keep<br />

working towards be<strong>com</strong>ing a trusted and<br />

recognized travel <strong>com</strong>panion, reaching far<br />

beyond our home of Dalmatia and Croatia.<br />

Founded in 2013 in the heart of Dalmatia, Croatia by a couple of lifelong<br />

friends, Four Seasons <strong>Travel</strong> Croatia is a DMC & Tour Operator specialized<br />

in providing unique, authentic and luxurious private travel solutions. We offer<br />

designing, organizing and operating day trips and multi-day trips on the land, at<br />

the sea and in the air.<br />

For people who want to experience more and who want to take the roads less<br />

traveled, they design customizable and tailor-fit personalized trip itineraries<br />

in Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Slovenia. Thanks to their<br />

innovative and detail-oriented team of expert travel designers, established<br />

network of hand-picked local suppliers and highest standards of service quality,<br />

they really can provide such travel solutions that will meet and exceed even the<br />

most demanding client expectations, without leaving anyone uninspired.


Zadar, Croatia Tel +49 (0) 172 6 54 52 52. <strong>www</strong>.olive-house.eu<br />

Olive House<br />

Croatia | The Award for Excellence in Service<br />

Imagine waking up and being greeted by the fresh smell of the sea air and the<br />

tranquil sound of the ocean. Wel<strong>com</strong>e to Olive House. A beautiful <strong>com</strong>plex<br />

that houses eight self-contained apartments designed to meet your every need.<br />

Olive House offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of modern city<br />

life. Surrounded by lush greenery on the one side, and the endless blue sea on<br />

the other, this is a place where time stops.<br />

All eight apartments are furnished in a traditionally Mediterranean style,<br />

giving them a cosy, humble feel. Each apartment includes a fully functional<br />

kitchen area <strong>com</strong>plete with hob, sink and coffee maker. Two of our apartments<br />

provide wheelchair accessibility and we are one of the very few pet-friendly<br />

ac<strong>com</strong>modations around.<br />

their place is located right on the<br />

waterfront. You can dive into the lagoon<br />

only a few meters from the front of the<br />

house and enjoy the unspoilt, pristine<br />

waters or sunbathe reading your<br />

favourite book.<br />

Life flows effortlessly in the village of<br />

Simuni, everything you need is in the<br />

vicinity. You can find restaurants serving<br />

delicious local cuisine, including catchof<br />

–the-day seafood. Or pop down to the<br />

local market for fresh produce of meat,<br />

fruit and vegetables, if cooking is your<br />

thing.<br />

And if adventure is more your style, fear<br />

not. You can easily hire a sailing boat and<br />

before you know it you are gliding down<br />

the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea. Or<br />

take your pick from a wide range of spots<br />

and activities available on site.


London, United Kingdom<br />

UK and Ireland


United Kingdom<br />

Best time to visit<br />

The UK is an all year-round<br />

destination.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Nottingham, Robin hoods<br />

hometown and a city awash with<br />

history, great restaurants and<br />

friendly locals.<br />

Land of Hope and Glory<br />

A proud history and heritage<br />

<strong>com</strong>bined with wonderful regional<br />

diversity the UK made up mainly of<br />

England, Scotland, Northern Ireland<br />

and Wales is a unique destination<br />

unlike any other.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

1. England<br />

How to get in<br />

There are five busy London<br />

airports. Cardiff, Belfast,<br />

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester,<br />

Birmingham and Liverpool are<br />

home to busy international<br />

airports.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Driving Tour of Scotland, the<br />

natural beauty of Scotland is<br />

staggering and is best enjoyed<br />

on a relaxed country drive.<br />

2. Northern Ireland<br />

3. Scotland<br />

4. Wales<br />

5. Channel Islands<br />

In association with<br />

Access via train travel is <strong>com</strong>mon<br />

from Belgium, France and the<br />

Netherlands. Driving is an option<br />

from France, Netherlands,<br />

Belgium, Spain and the Republic<br />

of Ireland through car ferries and<br />

the channel tunnel.<br />

Ferry routes are available<br />

from France, Spain, Denmark,<br />

Netherlands, Belgium and the<br />

Republic of Ireland.


London<br />

Day Trips Away<br />

London is one of the most visited cities<br />

in the world, so much in fact that<br />

many people will travel to the capital of<br />

England multiple times. London is popular<br />

for good reason, it’s lively, multicultural,<br />

has tons of historical sites, loads of<br />

attractions, excellent shopping centres,<br />

good restaurants and a buzzing nightlife.<br />

Surrounding London however there are<br />

some equally great places just waiting<br />

to be explored, our top day trips away<br />

are Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and<br />

Birmingham.<br />

Birmingham<br />

The second city of the United Kingdom has enjoyed a resurgence in<br />

recent times and has be<strong>com</strong>e something of cultural and shopping<br />

hub. Popular spots include world famous Cadburys world, the<br />

Jewellery quarter, Birmingham museum and art gallery, the Bull<br />

ring shopping centre and black country living museum. It’s easily<br />

reachable by train or coach from London.<br />

Stonehenge<br />

A famous UNESCO World Heritage site often<br />

associated with the United Kingdom. A<br />

Neolithic and Bronze age stone monument<br />

located in Wiltshire about 90 miles west<br />

of London. Stonehenge is a picture<br />

opportunity you don’t want to miss. With<br />

history dating back over 4000 years it’s still<br />

a mystery today as to how the stones got<br />

there or what purpose they serve. Once<br />

you’ve seen the stones you should stay a<br />

little longer to enjoy the local landscape.<br />

Windsor Castle<br />

Said to be the queens favourite residence and<br />

the host of two recent royal weddings this<br />

castle is a treat. It’s over 900 years old and<br />

despite its daily use by the royal family much<br />

of the palace and its grounds are still open to<br />

the public.<br />

<strong>Travel</strong> and hospitality award winner, Bespoke Black Cab Tours of<br />

London, are more than happy to arrange any travel within the city or<br />

any day trips away. Check them out on the next page.


United Kingdom, London Tel + 44 (0) 7957 195 044. <strong>www</strong>.bespokeblackcabtours.co.uk<br />

Bespoke Black Cab<br />

Tours<br />

United Kingdom | Tour Company<br />

London black cabs are as quintessentially British as Big Ben or the Houses<br />

of Parliament and had been the main mode of transport for millions of<br />

Londoners before the emergence of the most recent digital <strong>com</strong>petitor. These<br />

iconic vehicles are known for being extremely reliable for getting around town-<br />

‘cabbies’ spend up to four years scouring every nook and cranny of the city to<br />

pass the infamous ‘Knowledge’ test and qualify as licensed drivers.<br />

Bespoke Black Cab Tours is the proud achievement of Paul, an experienced<br />

London cabbie-turned-tour guide, who had a dream of offering private and<br />

personal tours of London and beyond in the back of one of these iconic vehicles.<br />

Paul offers a truly personal experience for those interested. He manages every<br />

aspect of the <strong>com</strong>pany, from the first email contact to ensuring each passenger’s<br />

specific need is fully met.<br />

Passengers can choose from prearranged<br />

tours that cover famous and<br />

lesser-known landmarks in and around<br />

London or opt for venturing further away<br />

to visit locations of historical significance<br />

such as Windsor Palace and even have a<br />

taste of the Dover shorelines.<br />

Equally, many travellers prefer to create<br />

a <strong>com</strong>pletely customised tour of the city<br />

or beyond. Paul can make all your wishes<br />

<strong>com</strong>e true and is happy to have all your<br />

questions answered and guide you to<br />

secret spots and stunning viewpoints<br />

around the city.<br />

With such remarkable service, it is no<br />

surprise that Bespoke Black Cab Tours<br />

was recently the winner of Tour Company<br />

of the year at the THA <strong>Awards</strong>.


10 Palace Place, London SW1E 5BW Tel +442035408800 <strong>www</strong>.nadlerhotels.<strong>com</strong><br />

The Nadler Victoria<br />

United Kingdom<br />

The Nadler Victoria is situated a stone’s throw away from the famous<br />

Buckingham Palace and the nearest underground station is a short walk<br />

away. They have a wide selection of room sizes ranging from Single to Superior.<br />

All rooms <strong>com</strong>e with their signature mini kitchenette <strong>com</strong>plete with microwave,<br />

Nespresso coffee maker and crockery. Their <strong>com</strong>fy pocket-sprung mattresses<br />

ensure you get a restful night’s sleep. Too tired to go to the supermarket? They<br />

even offer a fridge-fill service, just tell us what you need and we’ll get it for you!<br />

For Breakfast, they have teamed up with Timmy Green (10% off for guests of the<br />

hotel), a local restaurant serving healthy, Australian-inspired cuisine. You can<br />

choose to take your breakfast at the restaurant (only a 2 minute walk), or preorder<br />

the night before to have it delivered straight to your room.<br />

They have a team of well-trained Local<br />

Ambassadors who can navigate Victoria, home to<br />

some of London’s best-known landmarks including<br />

Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament<br />

and Westminster Abbey and ensure you have<br />

an unforgettable stay. the neighbourhood is a<br />

smorgasbord of cultural diversity, with plenty to see<br />

and explore just beyond our front door. Our team<br />

can provide you with tailor-made suggestions for<br />

where to go and what to do and see.<br />

With many places to eat and drink during your<br />

stay, they have partnered with their favourite local<br />

restaurants and bars, to give you access to an<br />

exclusive range of benefits and special offers. Tuck<br />

into modern British Brasserie fare with 20% off<br />

brunch at Aster or enjoy the delights of Japanese<br />

and Peruvian fusion food at UNI, where guests<br />

enjoy 10% off the bill. If you are looking to relax and<br />

unwind book a treatment direct to your room with<br />

20% off at Lune Bleue or visit the Queen Mother<br />

Sports Centre for a spot of yoga or spin, free for<br />

guests of the hotel. For those looking to explore,<br />

enjoy 2-4-1 tickets at The London Transport<br />

Museum or 25% off tickets to the Viewing Tower at<br />

Westminster Abbey. At The Nadler Victoria, we help<br />

you live like a local.


71 Vincent Square, London,<br />

SW1P 2PA, United Kingdom<br />

Tel +44 207 834 4740<br />

<strong>www</strong>.blueorchid.<strong>com</strong><br />

Wellington Hotel<br />

by Blue Orchid<br />

United Kingdom<br />

With its imposing exterior and impressive green gardens, Wellington Hotel<br />

is an oasis of calm in the centre of London. It offers 84 rooms and 5<br />

deluxe apartments with self-catering facilities. The hotel is nestled in its own<br />

private terraces and radiates elegance through a <strong>com</strong>bination of sophisticated<br />

design and contemporary décor.<br />

Their rooms are beautifully decorated with stylish furnishings and have an array<br />

of facilities including hi-speed WIFI, and eco-friendly toiletries. Many of their<br />

rooms maintain Edwardian features with traditional fireplaces. The hotel offers<br />

a 24-hour concierge service, <strong>com</strong>plimentary newspapers and dry cleaning<br />

service. You can also opt for their delicious buffet breakfast.<br />

For business ventures, the Wellington<br />

offers two versatile meeting rooms. Both<br />

are bathed in natural daylight and can<br />

cater for a wide range of memorable<br />

events and team meetings. Their<br />

meeting rooms include an in house<br />

technician, ISDN connectivity and an<br />

excellent audio-visual system as well as<br />

an in house technician who ensures the<br />

smooth running of your event.<br />

They are ideally located in one of the most<br />

beautiful areas of London, surrounded<br />

by glorious architecture, lush greenery<br />

and famous landmarks and attractions.<br />

St James’ park is less than a kilometer<br />

away and Victoria Underground Station<br />

is only a 10-minute walk.<br />

You can easily walk to South Bank and<br />

see what’s on at Tate Modern gallery, or<br />

catch one of the infamous productions<br />

at Shakespeare’s Globe. Hop on a Red<br />

Double-Decker Bus and head towards<br />

the West End Theater area and hop off<br />

by Westminster Bridge to admire the<br />

glorious Big Ben.


Leeds<br />

A City on the Rise<br />

Leeds, one of the biggest cities in the UK, is<br />

currently in a tourist boom. Owing mainly<br />

to being named as one of lonely planet’s top<br />

10 cities to visit in 2017. The primary attraction<br />

with Leeds is its unique blend of history and<br />

modernity. Leeds is cosmopolitan, a city known<br />

for its shopping and nightlife, museums,<br />

restaurants, historical monuments and Victorian<br />

architecture.<br />

Leeds-Bradford International airport is the best<br />

way into the city and is well serviced from several<br />

major <strong>Europe</strong>an destinations. If you’re <strong>com</strong>ing<br />

in from another continent, then Manchester<br />

airport is nearest. You’ll need to get a train or bus<br />

to Leeds.<br />

Kirkstall Abbey is one of the most popular historic<br />

sites in the city. A 500-year-old monastery set<br />

on the bank of the river Aire. The Abbey is home<br />

to a museum, a park and visitor centre. Another<br />

even more impressive site is Temple Newsam,<br />

an imposing Tudor-Jacobean mansion set<br />

on grounds over 1500 acres wide. There is an<br />

expansive art collection available to view on site<br />

and the surrounding woodlands are perfect for a<br />

leisurely stroll.<br />

Kirkstall Abbey is one of the most popular historic<br />

sites in the city. A 500-year-old monastery set<br />

on the bank of the river Aire. The Abbey is home<br />

to a museum, a park and visitor centre.<br />

Another even more impressive site is Temple<br />

Newsam, an imposing Tudor-Jacobean<br />

mansion set on 1500-acre grounds. There is<br />

an expansive art collection available to view on<br />

site and the surrounding woodlands are perfect<br />

for a leisurely stroll.<br />

The Trinity centre is the city’s premier shopping centre. It’s the<br />

biggest in the city with hundreds of shops, restaurants and things to<br />

do. For an alternative shopping experience try the Corn exchange, a<br />

stunning grade one listed Victorian building that boasts an array of<br />

independent boutiques and eateries.<br />

The large student population in the city means there is a buzzing<br />

nightlife scene with a huge number of bars from traditional pubs<br />

to chic concept bars. The top place for a night out is call lane in the<br />

exchange quarter that houses a wide range of amazing bars.


United Kingdom Tel + 44 (0)113 262 3352 <strong>www</strong>.pedegoeurope.<strong>com</strong><br />

Pedego Electric Bikes<br />

Leeds Tours and Rentals<br />

United Kingdom | Rental Company<br />

Electric bikes are literally taking the world by storm and Pedego is America’s<br />

biggest and most popular brand. Renting a Pedego bike is by far the most<br />

clever and exciting way to discover a new city. Unlike traditional bicycles, Pedego<br />

allows you to cover a lot more ground much quicker and without shedding much<br />

sweat at all.<br />

With over 15 different models to choose from, you are bound to find the perfect<br />

fit for you. Our bikes are extremely <strong>com</strong>fortable and user-friendly with a whisperquiet<br />

motor that will help you gain speed in no time and with very little effort.<br />

With a long-lasting, powerful battery and brand new Pedalsense technology,<br />

you have the freedom to ride for long stints. Batteries charge up quickly and<br />

with some of our most popular bikes you can cover up to 60 miles in one charge!<br />

Bikes can reach up to 25km per hour so expect to discover your surroundings in<br />

a <strong>com</strong>fortable and fun way.<br />

The amazing city of Leeds has several<br />

incredible places and events to explore.<br />

At Pedego Leeds, we offer a selection of<br />

Pedego tours that include wine tasting,<br />

cooking masterclass and even <strong>com</strong>bining<br />

the two. Bike through the dedicated<br />

route that will take you through the<br />

beautiful vineyards for some gorgeous<br />

local wine tasting and end up at Casa<br />

Mia restaurant for a hands-on cooking<br />

class in the best Italian restaurant of the<br />

city. Or go all out with an all-inclusive<br />

Pedego holiday and truly experience this<br />

city through the eyes of a local.


Lorem Visit Scotland<br />

Lorem<br />

Water is the life-blood that flows<br />

through and around Scotland.<br />

It’s what makes its beloved landscape so<br />

special, its whisky so tasty and its water<br />

sports so much fun.<br />

<strong>2020</strong> is Scotland’s Year of Coasts and<br />

Waters celebrating the country’s diverse<br />

coastal scenery and waterways, from<br />

dramatic cliffs, sea stacks and gleaming<br />

white beaches, to lochs steeped in<br />

history and rivers and canals that have<br />

contributed so much to Scotland’s culture<br />

and heritage.<br />

Scotland’s magnificent coastline runs<br />

to around 10,000 km and there are over<br />

30,000 lochs and lochans with miles of<br />

winding rivers to discover. And while,<br />

during these unpresented times, the<br />

world is staying at home and not able to<br />

travel to and around Scotland, all this will<br />

be waiting for visitors when the time is<br />

right…<br />

Natural environment and<br />

Wildlife<br />

Sculpted by volcanoes, glaciers<br />

and the weather, some of<br />

Scotland’s landscape is over 3<br />

billion years old - you really have<br />

to see it to believe it. Glaciers<br />

have carved out beautiful lochs in<br />

Scotland, some deeper than our<br />

inshore seas, which are home to<br />

wel<strong>com</strong>ing <strong>com</strong>munities and the<br />

odd monster!<br />

Along Scotland’s coastline, you’ll<br />

find some of the world’s best<br />

beaches with sweeping pristine<br />

white sands against clear azure<br />

blue waters. Embrace the beauty<br />

of the Outer Hebrides or the<br />

Highlands, or venture east to<br />

Angus, Fife or East Lothian and<br />

dip a toe in! And don’t forget the<br />

beautiful nature reserves across<br />

the country, home to a tremendous<br />

variety of flora, fauna and wildlife.<br />

Whatever the season, Scotland’s<br />

coasts and waters are the ideal<br />

place for a natural high and a wildlife<br />

experience should be part of any<br />

trip here, no matter where you go!<br />

In spring marvel at thousands of<br />

seabirds, including guillemots, fulmars,<br />

kittiwakes and razorbills, as they return<br />

to their craggy sea-cliff ‘cities’ to nest<br />

and raise young after a winter at sea.<br />

As the days lengthen in summer,<br />

osprey fly thousands of miles from<br />

west Africa to raise their chicks, while<br />

resident bottlenose dolphin pods and<br />

whales rise from the deep to frolic in<br />

the crashing waves.<br />

The vivid golds and coppers of autumn<br />

signal the arrival of thousands of<br />

migrant geese in their familiar ‘v’<br />

shaped squadrons, while powerful<br />

Atlantic Salmon can be spotted leaping<br />

as they return to their original spawning<br />

rivers. And between late September<br />

and late November, seals pull up along<br />

our shores to give birth to adorable and<br />

furry pups.<br />

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Historic Environment and<br />

Cultural Heritage<br />

Scots have deep-rooted links with<br />

coasts and waters. They were an<br />

important means of travel and helped<br />

provide an abundant larder for early<br />

settlers. You’ll find many important<br />

Neolithic, Iron Age and Bronze Age<br />

sites near the coasts of Orkney and<br />

Shetland, with mysteries of Orkney’s<br />

early loch-side dwellers still being<br />

uncovered at the Ness of Brodgar<br />

excavations today.<br />

Between the 8th and 15th centuries,<br />

the formidable Vikings and the<br />

mighty Lords of the Isles used the sea<br />

and their grand fleets to control the<br />

islands of Orkney and Shetland and<br />

the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Norse<br />

heritage and culture are plain to see<br />

today around Orkney and Shetland in<br />

particular, but also along the Firth of<br />

Clyde.<br />

In the Middle Ages, nobles were quick<br />

to realise the importance of siting<br />

castles on the coast or on loch<br />

islands, to improve their fortification.<br />

Scotland has a wide array of<br />

impressive coastal fortresses<br />

to explore. From Dunnottar by<br />

Stonehaven, and Tantallon in East<br />

Lothian, to Sinclair-Girnigoe near<br />

Wick. Dunnottar withstood several<br />

assaults by Vikings and an eightmonth<br />

siege by Oliver Cromwell’s<br />

forces.<br />

In more recent times, coasts and<br />

waters have played an important<br />

role during the Napoleonic and<br />

World Wars. The vast, natural<br />

harbour of Scapa Flow in Orkney<br />

was an important deep-water<br />

wartime anchorage for the Royal<br />

Navy throughout these conflicts as<br />

well as, surprisingly, the American<br />

War of Independence.<br />

Loch Striven, a long sea-loch on the<br />

Cowal Peninsula was important for<br />

training midget submarine crews<br />

and testing bouncing bombs in<br />

WWII. Whilst Holy Loch near Dunoon,<br />

also on the Cowal Peninsula, was<br />

and remains an important naval<br />

base today.<br />

Activities and Adventure<br />

Our seas, shores, lochs and rivers are an amazing<br />

playground for those that thrive in the great<br />

outdoors. Whether you’re surfing Atlantic swells,<br />

fishing some of <strong>Europe</strong>’s finest rivers, sea-kayaking<br />

along the west coast, or enjoying a refreshing<br />

coastal walk, there’s plenty to take your breath<br />

away!<br />

Scotland’s gorges, rivers and lochs are perfect for a<br />

huge range of thrilling watersports. With a wetsuit,<br />

and ‘can-do’ attitude, try canyoning in Highland<br />

Perthshire, Lochaber or Dumfries & Galloway,<br />

or go whitewater rafting on the rivers Findhorn,<br />

Moriston, Orchy, Tay or Tummel. Try stand-up<br />

paddle boarding, the trendiest watersport of the<br />

moment or go ‘old school’ and find some of <strong>Europe</strong>’s<br />

finest surfing spots in Scotland. Sea-kayaking is<br />

an amazing way to see our coast in a new way. If<br />

you’re starting out, join a group paddling amongst<br />

the Arisaig Skerries. The sea there is often calm<br />

and you might see basking seals pulled up on the<br />

white sandy beaches - an incredibe experience.<br />

Skilled paddlers can choose a section of the 500<br />

km Scottish Sea Kayak Trail, which runs from the<br />

Isle of Gigha to the Summer Isles.<br />

If you’ve ever dreamed of navigating a yacht around idyllic<br />

islands or gliding gracefully across a misty loch, there can be<br />

no better time than Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters to<br />

plan a sailing trip for next year. Whether you’re a landlubber<br />

keen to learn the secrets of the sea, or an experienced skipper<br />

looking for a ‘bareboat’ charter - Scotland offers some of the<br />

finest sailing experiences in the world.


Food and Drink<br />

When it <strong>com</strong>es to feeding the nation<br />

and many of our <strong>Europe</strong>an and global<br />

friends, Scotland’s coasts and waters<br />

are vitally important.<br />

Scotland lands over two-thirds of the<br />

world’s langoustines and is the largest<br />

fish producer in <strong>Europe</strong>. Thankfully<br />

however, much of this delicious<br />

seafood, regarded by many as<br />

amongst the best in the world, stays<br />

in Scotland. You’ll find it in fine seafood<br />

shacks and fish and chip shops around<br />

the coast as well as on restaurant<br />

menus across the country.<br />

The quality of our water is also<br />

important when it <strong>com</strong>es to our other<br />

major export - whisky - uisge beatha<br />

- the water of life. Water from natural<br />

springs, rivers and lochs, <strong>com</strong>bined<br />

with malted barley and aged in oak<br />

casks, have a clear influence on the<br />

taste - this can differ between whisky<br />

regions and the 120, and growing,<br />

whisky distilleries that you’ll find here.<br />

Scotland’s water and other local botanicals are<br />

also important in the production of Scottish gin.<br />

Over 70% of the juniper berry-based spirit is<br />

produced in Scotland and it’s the quality of the<br />

water and natural ingredients that makes it so<br />

special.<br />

The Scottish craft beer sector continues to<br />

grow each year and the range of brews on offer<br />

is intriguing and satisfying. Many of our whisky<br />

and gin distilleries and breweries offer visitor<br />

experiences and it’s well worth calling in for a<br />

wee dram, a refreshing G & T or some amber ale.<br />

A message from VisitScotland<br />

While many countries are in lockdown<br />

with travel restrictions in place, we want<br />

to send a message of support and hope<br />

to our friends around the world. We want<br />

to assure them that, whilst they can’t visit<br />

just now, we will still be here with a warm<br />

wel<strong>com</strong>e for them when the time is right.<br />

Dream now and visit VisitScotland.<strong>com</strong>


Ireland<br />

The Emerald Isle<br />

Best time to visit<br />

From April through to October<br />

when the weather is better.<br />

Favourite place<br />

Kilkenny, a beautiful medieval<br />

city located a couple of hours<br />

outside Dublin. Hosts numerous<br />

festivals all year round.<br />

Breath-taking landscapes,<br />

wonderful people and good beer,<br />

Ireland is maybe small but packs<br />

a big punch.<br />

Regions breakdown<br />

How to get in<br />

Dublin is one of the largest<br />

and well-connected airports<br />

in <strong>Europe</strong>, visitors can also fly<br />

into Shannon, County Clare and<br />

Ireland West Knock airports.<br />

Drive in is an option straight from<br />

Northern Ireland or by car ferry<br />

from mainland Britain. There is<br />

also a train that runs between<br />

Belfast (Northern Ireland) and<br />

Dublin. Ferries are available from<br />

the UK, France and Spain.<br />

Must do activity<br />

Hike through Wicklow mountain<br />

national park, an area of stunning<br />

natural beauty that is nicknamed<br />

“the garden of Ireland”<br />

1. Dublin<br />

2. Carlow<br />

3. Cavan<br />

4. Clare<br />

5. Cork<br />

6. Donegal<br />

7. Galway<br />

8. Kerry<br />

9. Kildare<br />

10. Kilkenny<br />

11. Laois<br />

12. Leitrim<br />

13. Limerick<br />

14. Longford<br />

15. Louth<br />

16. Mayo<br />

17. Meath<br />

18. Monaghan<br />

19. Offaly<br />

20. Ros<strong>com</strong>mon<br />

21. Sligo<br />

22. Tipperary<br />

23. Waterford<br />

24. Westmeath<br />

25. Wexford<br />

26. Wicklow


Counties of Ireland<br />

There are total of 26 counties in the<br />

Republic of Ireland, these are historic<br />

divisions and today used as a basis of local<br />

government. Each county however has its<br />

own charm, traditions and uniqueness.<br />

For example, County Cork, Irelands largest,<br />

is known as the rebel county and people<br />

from there like to think of it as the “People’s<br />

Republic of Cork”. They see themselves as<br />

being a little different to the rest of Ireland<br />

and you’ll certainly get that impression on<br />

a stroll around Cork, the capital city.<br />

Counties on the West of Ireland such as<br />

Galway, Mayo and Kerry are very much<br />

rooted in Gaelic traditions. Pockets of<br />

Gaeltacht (Irish language) speaking areas<br />

can be found in these countries and locals<br />

love to wel<strong>com</strong>e visitors to share in this<br />

tradition.<br />

It’s hard to pick our top 3 counties as<br />

each has so much to offer however<br />

we’ve narrowed it down to Country Clare,<br />

Kilkenny and Kerry. In this chapter we will<br />

give you an insight in to all three.<br />

County Clare<br />

County Clare is a natural wonder,<br />

full of breath-taking sites. It’s<br />

home to the world-famous Cliffs of<br />

Moher, one of Irelands most visited<br />

natural attractions. Set at over 700 feet<br />

above the Atlantic, the cliffs make for a<br />

great coastal walking route.<br />

Past this County Clare’s other big<br />

attraction is the Burren. A stony karst<br />

landscape that is home to a unique blend<br />

of Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean flora<br />

and plenty of archaeological sites. The<br />

most recognisable is the Poulnabrone<br />

Dolmen, located in a desolate point in<br />

the Burren, these standing stones are<br />

the oldest megalithic monuments in<br />

Ireland.<br />

Scattery Island is a must for any history<br />

buff. A small monastic settlement that<br />

is home to a functioning light house, a<br />

tall round tower and six ancient church<br />

ruins. It’s a great family day out and<br />

there a several ferries a day from Kilrush<br />

Marina.


County Kilkenny<br />

A<br />

landlocked county named after its<br />

capital city Kilkenny which was once<br />

the capital of Ireland for a short period in<br />

the 17th century. Indeed, this county has<br />

a rich history stretching back over 2000<br />

years. It’s South Eastern location close<br />

to Dublin means a lot of the sites can be<br />

reached on a nice day trip.<br />

Kilkenny Castle is one of Irelands most<br />

famous attractions located right in<br />

the middle of the city of Kilkenny. The<br />

castle was built in 1195, during Norman<br />

occupation and then for a while it was the<br />

home of the Butler family who in the 19th<br />

century decided to return the palace to its<br />

former medieval appearance. The castle<br />

as well as the surrounding gardens and<br />

woodlands are open to visitors all year<br />

round. Located within the castle is the<br />

Butler art gallery. A superb contemporary<br />

art space that features a permanent<br />

gallery along with regular workshops, talks<br />

and events.<br />

The Medieval Mile<br />

An urban walking trail that links Kilkenny<br />

Castle to St Canice’s Cathedral. The route<br />

is filled with shops, pubs, restaurants,<br />

charming alleyways and small historic<br />

sites. We re<strong>com</strong>mend a guided walking tour<br />

as the best way to experience this mile and<br />

learn all about the town’s history.<br />

The Smithwicks Experience<br />

A brewery tour of Irelands oldest<br />

brewery, even older than famous<br />

Guinness. Visitors can learn all<br />

about the history and process of<br />

brewing Smithwicks and at the<br />

end even sample a pint of their<br />

choice or a paddle to try them all.<br />

Ballykeefe Distillery<br />

Located about 25 minutes outside of Kilkenny town is the Ballykeefe<br />

distillery. The main produce is whiskey, but gin, poitin and vodka are also<br />

available. The distillery is family run, eco-friendly and authentic in its<br />

approach. A tour of this distillery is not to be missed.


Waterford Rd, Cashel,<br />

Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland<br />

Tel +353 56 779 6691<br />

http://<strong>www</strong>.laraghhouse.<strong>com</strong>/<br />

Laragh House<br />

Ireland | Bed & Breakfast<br />

Jerpoint Abbey<br />

A brilliant Cistercian abbey and national monument built in<br />

the second half of the 12th century. It’s located near historic<br />

Thomastown, 17km South East of Kilkenny town. The abbey is<br />

unique for the stone carvings and cloister arcade which are<br />

remarkably well preserved.<br />

Duiske Abbey<br />

Another national monument and Cistercian<br />

abbey. Duiske abbey, located in Graignamanagh,<br />

is one of the largest and arguably the finest of<br />

all the Cistercian monasteries in Ireland. The<br />

original stonework and medieval floor tiles are<br />

a delight to see.<br />

The medieval town of Kilkenny in Ireland is every art lover’s dream <strong>com</strong>e true.<br />

Replete with gorgeous churches and a castle, the town is pulled straight out<br />

of the pages of a fairy tale. If you’re planning to visit Kilkenny, make sure you book<br />

your ac<strong>com</strong>modation at Laragh House.<br />

Conveniently situated on Waterford Road, Laragh House is a quaint and luxurious<br />

guest house. It <strong>com</strong>prises eight lavish individually designed rooms equipped with<br />

modern amenities such as satellite TV, free WiFi, tea/coffee tray, iron, etc. Each<br />

room includes an en-suite bathroom with either a power shower or a whirlpool<br />

bath. A hairdryer and <strong>com</strong>plimentary toiletries are also provided for guests.<br />

The rooms are fully furnished to ensure that you have a <strong>com</strong>fortable stay. Your<br />

stay at Laragh House would be in<strong>com</strong>plete without relishing a hearty Irish buffet<br />

breakfast. If you feel like venturing outside, head to Kilkenny Castle, which is just<br />

a short 15-minute walk away.


Count Kerry<br />

Top 3<br />

Known as the “Kingdom of Kerry”<br />

since the first century. This county is<br />

considered by many to be the most scenic<br />

in Ireland with its beautiful coastline,<br />

rugged mountains, lush green landscapes<br />

and breath-taking lakes. Diving the ring of<br />

Kerry, touring Skellig Michael and visiting<br />

the Gap of Dunloe are three things you<br />

can do that you’ll never forget.<br />

Drive the Ring of Kerry<br />

A famous circular route around the<br />

county that starts and ends in Killarney<br />

and covers multiple sites. If you want to<br />

get a full experience of the beauty of the<br />

county, then this tour is for you. Expect<br />

stunning Atlantic vistas, quaint towns, tiny<br />

beaches, waterfalls and historic estates.<br />

Diving non-stop takes about three and a<br />

half hours but with regular stops to see<br />

the sites you may want to give yourself a<br />

couple of days.<br />

Tour of Skellig Michael<br />

A UNESCO world heritage site about 8 miles off<br />

the coast of county Kerry. Known nowadays for<br />

its part in the recent Star Wars films, this was<br />

once an isolated hermitage. You’ll need a ticket<br />

to land on the island and the best way to get<br />

there is via a ferry, but helicopter tours are also<br />

available.<br />

Once on the island the only way to get around is<br />

on foot. Although the island is well maintained<br />

the hike to the monastery at the top can be a<br />

little testing, <strong>com</strong>fortable clothing and footwear<br />

is advised. In the end the walk will be worth it<br />

for the glorious view and rustic housing.<br />

Walk (or Cycle) the Gap of Dunloe<br />

A narrow mountain pass through the McGillicuddy<br />

Reeks and Purple mountains that serves as a popular<br />

walking and cycling route. You will be in for something<br />

spectacular as the route runs past five deep glacial<br />

lakes, the River Loe and a picturesque old bridge. If<br />

you’re not in the mood for biking or walking then we<br />

re<strong>com</strong>mend a jaunting car ride through the gap, a<br />

unique experience.


3 Main St, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry,<br />

V23 WA46, Ireland<br />

Tel +353 66 947 2244<br />

<strong>www</strong>.qc.ie<br />

Quinlan and Cooke Boutique<br />

Townhouse and QCs Seafood<br />

Restaurant<br />

Ireland | Boutique Bed & Breakfast<br />

A<br />

stay at Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse isn’t like a hotel stay. You<br />

get the key to your room - and to the main front door - and you can <strong>com</strong>e<br />

and go as you please. Treat it like your home away from home. Quinlan & Cooke<br />

Townhouse is part of a new wave of ac<strong>com</strong>modation level that blends freedom<br />

with the high end quality you’d like to experience. Guests can expect a unique<br />

‘breakfast in the room’ experience, allowing guests to enjoy freshly baked<br />

pastries, organic fruit <strong>com</strong>potes and yogurts in the <strong>com</strong>fort of their own room.<br />

South-West Kerry is one of Ireland’s most travelled and most popular routes on<br />

the island. Tourists flock to the area by car, bus or bike to discover the outstanding<br />

natural beauty. Discover the famous Skellig Michael Unesco World Heritage Site,<br />

the endless unspoilt beaches, boundless hill walks and famous Waterville and<br />

Hogs Head Golf Clubs.<br />

Quinlan & Cooke is owned and run by Kate Cooke, who’s<br />

many years of experience and travel in the hotel industry<br />

has evidently been implemented to create somewhere<br />

special. Originally established in 2000 QC’s Seafood<br />

Restaurant has won many prestigious awards, in 2008<br />

Kate brought her sense of style and experience in<br />

hospitality to Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse, with<br />

the addition of 11 delightful quirky rooms.<br />

Guests at Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse can<br />

expect superlatively designed ac<strong>com</strong>modation where<br />

they have <strong>com</strong>fort of stay and privacy. This isn’t like a<br />

hotel stay. A great balance, we think. Beautifully appointed<br />

and exquisitely designed bedrooms include ultra modern<br />

furnishings and contemporary materials, lots of natural<br />

light, rain showers and roll top baths, flat screen TV, free<br />

Wi-Fi, a well equipped gym and <strong>com</strong>plimentary car park.<br />

The house has a <strong>com</strong>fy resident’s lounge with large corner<br />

wood burning stove, and private outside Courtyard with<br />

touches of Mediterranean colour from a myriad of painted<br />

tiles on the floor. Rest and relaxation is key - that much<br />

deserved lie in with breakfast in bed is a probability. Quinlan<br />

& Cooke Boutique Townhouse is an ideal place if you really<br />

want to make the most of the area. Don’t miss dinner in<br />

QC’s Seafood Restaurant where fish and shellfish fresh<br />

from Kate Cooke’s’ family’s boats is the house speciality.


Arli Hotel<br />

<br />

Hideaway<br />

Address: Via del Pozzino, 2, 58043 Punta Ala, Grosseto, Italia<br />

Telephone: +39 0564 923184<br />

URL: <strong>www</strong>.arlihotelpuntaala.<strong>com</strong>


<strong>thawards</strong>.<strong>com</strong>

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