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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>