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FEATURING<br />
Hotel of the Year<br />
Istanbul, Turkey<br />
Luxury Chalets of the Year<br />
Austria<br />
Villas of the Year<br />
Portugal<br />
<strong>Europe</strong><br />
<strong>2021</strong>
PORTUGAL | ALGARVE
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY<br />
AWARD WINNER<br />
<strong>2021</strong>
The UK’s leading hospitality event dedicated to increasing<br />
hotel profitability, The Hotel360 Expo, is back and opening<br />
its door to over 4 - 5,000 hotel professionals. Taking place at<br />
the ExCeL, London on the 28th & 29th of September <strong>2021</strong>,<br />
Hotel360 promises a surplus of solutions and information,<br />
ensuring hotel decision-makers are at the forefront of the<br />
latest hospitality advancements.<br />
The Hotel360 Expo is a rare opportunity to meet the big names<br />
of the industry, as well as the up-and-<strong>com</strong>ers. Moreover, a<br />
chance to rethink one’s hotel business’s marketing strategy,<br />
to source solutions to optimise operational efficiency, take<br />
home the latest hospitality tech trends and sustainability<br />
solutions. The show also provides the tools to not only get<br />
hotel businesses to boost their bookings, but to grow, ensure<br />
customer satisfaction and increase their profits.<br />
The line-up for Hotel360 will boast over 300 cuttingedge<br />
suppliers, 150 inspirational seminars, and expertled<br />
panel debates. Not to mention, unlimited networking<br />
opportunities, unmissable innovation awards and much<br />
more to keep attendees captivated.
As one of our previous endorsers, Tom Lord, the<br />
Former Head of Global Support, InterContinental<br />
Hotels Group, has said:<br />
“We saw some great new solutions<br />
using AI and the event is great for small<br />
businesses and big ones alike, as well as<br />
putting everyone under one roof and letting<br />
people across the breadth of the hospitality<br />
industry see all the latest technologies<br />
available.”<br />
Running directly alongside<br />
Hotel360, is the<br />
<strong>Hospitality</strong> Design Show.<br />
This show will exhibit the<br />
latest design trends, ideas,<br />
and innovations behind<br />
business growth. It also<br />
grants a unique opportunity<br />
to let the leading creatives<br />
guide hotel businesses<br />
to success with 1-2-1<br />
advice. All under one roof,<br />
the events will provide a<br />
one stop shop for hotel<br />
professionals. Plus it is<br />
FREE to attend.<br />
Visit hotel360expo.co.uk to<br />
secure your free ticket to<br />
both shows and discover<br />
the tools to maximise your<br />
margins!
Sponsor and<br />
Partners
Team<br />
CEO<br />
Rob Bruce<br />
Editor-In-Chief<br />
Katherine Lozell<br />
Art Director<br />
Marcs Bacera<br />
Director Of Sales<br />
Stanley Lucas<br />
<strong>Awards</strong> Director<br />
Brian Anson<br />
Editorial Liaison Manager<br />
David Hyde<br />
Director Of Marketing<br />
Azim Aftab<br />
Social Media Manager<br />
Apple Gatus<br />
Senior Writers<br />
Tasmai Dave, Jacqui Irvine, & Joseph Wilton<br />
Senior Designers<br />
Antoine Jackson & Hafiz Arslan<br />
<strong>Awards</strong> Managers<br />
Adam Cole, Joseph Malabanan, Zach Ford,<br />
Peter Clement, & Joyce Lee<br />
Research Managers<br />
Jerald Jaime & Mukul<br />
Contributing Writers<br />
Tracy Morgan, Joseph Malabanan, & Aisha Ahmed<br />
Contents<br />
10<br />
Criteria<br />
Include articles on Alpine Ski School, Vienna<br />
City of Culture Old Masters – Young Experts,<br />
Luxury Mountain Getaways, Kaprun Edition,<br />
and Susanne Fischer amongst others.<br />
68<br />
Greece<br />
42<br />
Turkey<br />
Include articles on<br />
Istanbul <strong>Europe</strong>’s Most<br />
Beautiful City, Fatih etc.<br />
Include articles on The Greek Islands Waiting<br />
to be explored, Ikaria The Quirky Island etc.<br />
14<br />
Winter<br />
Holiday<br />
Guide 84<br />
Bulgaria<br />
Include articles on The Summer Capital of<br />
Bulgaria and Graffit Gallery Hotel
90<br />
Italy<br />
Include articles on Rome Or Venice? Which<br />
City is Better to Visit, The Perfect Weekend in<br />
the Tuscan Countryside etc.<br />
124<br />
France<br />
Include articles<br />
on Sailing<br />
Holiday in France<br />
and Filovent<br />
106<br />
Germany<br />
Include articles<br />
on Istanbul<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>’s Most<br />
Beautiful City,<br />
Fatih etc.<br />
130<br />
Spain<br />
Include articles on Ibiza Wel<strong>com</strong>e to<br />
Our Island, Barcelona City of Splendour,<br />
Lugaris Beach Apartments etc.<br />
144<br />
Portugal<br />
Include articles<br />
on Getting<br />
Around Portugal,<br />
Avenidas - Here<br />
for you, etc.<br />
180<br />
United<br />
Kingdom<br />
Include articles<br />
on Scotland, The<br />
Mountain Men etc.<br />
198<br />
Iceland<br />
Include articles on<br />
Rekjavik Top 5 and<br />
Salt Eldhus
Criteria<br />
Service<br />
Excellence in Service is an important<br />
category, as customer service can often<br />
be responsible for having guests return<br />
year after year. We look for the hotels<br />
and tour operators that go out of their<br />
way to please their guests, those that<br />
provide a personal level of service and<br />
take the time to get to know each visitor<br />
so that they might anticipate their every<br />
need. This can be something as simple<br />
as a 24-hour concierge desk, a hotel<br />
manager who offers a personal greeting<br />
or a tour guide who is happy to create<br />
bespoke private tours – but whatever<br />
it is, we are always pleased when we<br />
encounter staff that have been trained<br />
in the art of customer satisfaction.<br />
Style & Design<br />
It is no question that style and design<br />
plays a big part in selecting our awards<br />
shortlist. A guest will form an opinion<br />
about a hotel as soon as they arrive<br />
so it is important to us that all our<br />
winners make those first impressions<br />
count. We’re certainly not partial to a<br />
particular period of architecture – but<br />
whether we’re judging a gothic castle or<br />
an environmentally friendly lodge, the<br />
criteria remains the same. We consider<br />
factors such as architectural features,<br />
use of materials, creation of spaces,<br />
décor and the overall feel. We love it<br />
when we find a hotel that tells a story<br />
though its design and construction, or<br />
offers a design that is sympathetic to<br />
the natural surroundings of its location.
Local Knowledge<br />
Knowledge of the local area is essential<br />
for any organization, be it a hotel or a<br />
tour operator. The quality of services<br />
takes a great hit when the quality of this<br />
element is not up to the mark. Quite a<br />
few of our winners in this category are<br />
because they have displayed excellent<br />
knowledge about the surrounding<br />
areas. The criteria for a hotel is slightly<br />
lenient <strong>com</strong>pared to a tour operator, as<br />
the latter is expected to have thorough<br />
knowledge of the area in order to<br />
provide good services.<br />
Facilities<br />
Award-winning guest rooms <strong>com</strong>e in all<br />
shapes and sizes, but they all have one<br />
thing in <strong>com</strong>mon – a home-away-fromhome<br />
feel. The <strong>com</strong>fort of the facilities<br />
on offer are of vital importance; we look<br />
for luxurious linens, stylish bathrooms<br />
and a coordinated colour scheme that<br />
work together to create a cohesive<br />
sense of relaxation. Additional touches,<br />
such as <strong>com</strong>plimentary toiletries, free<br />
wi-fi or tea and coffee making facilities<br />
are always a bonus in making us feel<br />
wel<strong>com</strong>e. We’re always impressed to find<br />
hotel rooms that embrace technology<br />
and offer amenities like tablets or smart<br />
thermostat systems, but this does not<br />
always necessarily trump the traditional<br />
– four poster beds, ornate fireplaces or<br />
antique furniture can add a touch of<br />
decadence to a hotel stay.<br />
Marketing<br />
In today’s modern age, a hotel or tour<br />
operator cannot rely on word of mouth<br />
to get their message out into the world.<br />
As social media has be<strong>com</strong>e a vital<br />
part of everyday life, we like to see<br />
<strong>com</strong>panies that go the extra mile to<br />
engage with their guests, both past<br />
and future. Attractive and informative<br />
websites and engaging and honest<br />
content are what we look for when<br />
judging a <strong>com</strong>pany’s use of marketing;<br />
how well they display their services, how<br />
up-to-date their content is, how well<br />
they get their brand message across,<br />
and, most importantly, how well their<br />
marketing can tempt us to go and see<br />
what they have to offer for ourselves.
Criteria<br />
Diversity<br />
Diversity is one important aspect that<br />
needs to be taken into consideration<br />
when in the travel and hospitality<br />
industry. It is essential to have staff<br />
that has varying diversity to ensure that<br />
the organization can properly connect<br />
with their guests. Diversity is taken into<br />
account in terms of gender, nationality<br />
as well as languages spoken among<br />
other factors. Not only do we take the<br />
diversity of the staff into account but<br />
even that of the facilities and services<br />
offered; a hotel or tour operator<br />
providing a better range of services is<br />
preferred over those that do not.<br />
Customer Reviews<br />
What better way is there to know about<br />
an organization than by getting first<br />
hand reviews? Customers are the best<br />
judges of any service as they are the<br />
ones who experience them and can<br />
assess whether they were up to the<br />
mark or not. Considering reviews from<br />
hundreds of customers gives us a fair<br />
idea about the general pros and cons<br />
of any organization and also gives us<br />
valuable inputs for the other criteria<br />
as well.
Industry Knowledge<br />
It is of prime importance that an<br />
organization has thorough industry<br />
knowledge. Without knowing the nit-bits<br />
of the industry, it is difficult to flourish<br />
and provide services which are a class<br />
apart. Before any organization ventures<br />
into the industry, it is essential that<br />
they know how the industry is moving<br />
and how they should make changes to<br />
their methodologies in order to remain<br />
relevant and also be a top-performing<br />
organization.<br />
Location<br />
Location is one of the most important factors, but also one of the most subjective,<br />
as the ‘ideal’ is very much determined by the type of visitor and the type of<br />
hotel itself. However, there are a few factors we take into consideration when<br />
determining the winners of location-based awards. The first is convenience; that<br />
is, hotels that are easy to travel to. Many of our winners in this category are in<br />
convenient locations, such as adjacent to airports, close to beaches or found in<br />
the heart of easy-to-navigate cities. We are always impressed when hotels go the<br />
extra mile to take the hassle out of traveling and offer such additional services as<br />
airport shuttles or car hire services. However, we’re always excited to <strong>com</strong>e across<br />
a hotel that is, to use a familiar phrase, off-the-beaten-track. A hotel that can<br />
offer something a little different, in terms of natural surroundings, can make the<br />
difference between a good holiday and an incredible one.
Winter<br />
Holiday Guide
Zermatt in Switzerland
Winter Holidays<br />
in <strong>Europe</strong><br />
The travel and hospitality industry, like many others,<br />
is still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite<br />
signs of growth and enthusiasm, the industry isn’t set<br />
to have a stellar summer like some anticipated. Instead,<br />
an extensive <strong>Europe</strong>an winter tourist season is expected<br />
with many planning to swap out the beaches of the<br />
Mediterranean for the snowy landscapes of the Alps and<br />
Scandinavia. For those people we have put together the<br />
perfect winter holiday guide.<br />
16
Snowsports<br />
If there is any type of activity that is<br />
synonymous with a winter holiday it’s skiing,<br />
with snowboarding as a remarkably close<br />
second. When most of us think of going on<br />
holiday in the winter we instantly think of a<br />
snowy ski resort where we can enjoy hours<br />
on the slopes and then relax by a warm fire<br />
with a lovely hot drink.<br />
Ofcourse skiing and snowboarding aren’t<br />
the only two winter activities you can<br />
appreciate at a mountain resort. Ice karting,<br />
fat snow biking, tobogganing, snowmobiling,<br />
sledding, ice climbing, and hiking, are all<br />
popular activities that can be enjoyed at<br />
most ski resorts throughout <strong>Europe</strong>.<br />
For your first time on this type of holiday<br />
we re<strong>com</strong>mend getting some practice in<br />
your home country first. You can do this<br />
on artificial slopes, although not the same<br />
as real snow these surfaces still offer an<br />
opportunity to familiarise yourself with basic<br />
movement techniques, build stamina, and<br />
improve balance. Ultimately by doing this<br />
you’ll be much better equipped to handle the<br />
real thing.<br />
17
<strong>Europe</strong> is home to some of the best<br />
ski resorts in the world. Courcheval<br />
in France, one of the largest and<br />
most famous resorts in world. Cortina<br />
d’Ampezzo in Italy has remained hugely<br />
popular over the last 50 years. St. Anton<br />
am Arlberg in Austria is well known for<br />
its challenging runs, especially its offpiste<br />
options. An alternative is Jasna in<br />
Slovakia, the resort boasts almost 50km<br />
of slopes and is much more affordable<br />
than any of the options in the Alps.<br />
Our personal favourite is Zermatt in<br />
Switzerland. Set at the foot of the<br />
majestic Matterhorn, this resort is<br />
renowned for its lively atmosphere,<br />
excellent restaurants, incredible history,<br />
and is the ideal place for any level of<br />
skier. The resort is home to Alpine Ski<br />
School, a <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> award<br />
winner and home to some of the best<br />
snow sport instructors in <strong>Europe</strong>. You<br />
can find out more on page 20.<br />
18
19
Alpine Ski School<br />
Switzerland | The Award for Excellence in Service<br />
20<br />
Skiing and snowboarding in the Swiss Alps makes for a perfect winter break.<br />
Many people however are put off by the mere inability to ski or snowboard<br />
and wouldn’t know where to start should they decide to begin. We<br />
however have the answer, and it is the Alpine Ski School!!<br />
Based in Zermatt, the excellently rated Alpine Ski School is<br />
headed up by pals Maxime Riviera and David “Dido” Erba, both<br />
experienced, multilingual, and knowledgeable in the art of<br />
skiing, snowboarding and even mono-skiing.<br />
Maxime and David along with their professional team<br />
are ready to wel<strong>com</strong>e all regardless of your experience<br />
or skill level. Lessons are made to fit with individual<br />
requirements, so you are ensured the best<br />
education to improve your ability while at the<br />
same time having fun. Instructors available<br />
can speak English, German, Italian, French,<br />
Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.<br />
There are 3 distinct services on offer,<br />
these are private lesson, a VIP day<br />
and Off-Piste guiding and touring.
Private Lessons<br />
As you’d expect these are ski and snowboarding classes<br />
tailored to an individual’s skill level and offer excellent<br />
value for money in Zermatt. Lessons are delivered by<br />
passionate and dedicated instructors<br />
VIP Day<br />
An exciting and unforgettable experience. The day<br />
starts with a hotel pick up following by skiing down<br />
some of the most sensational runs in the area and the<br />
chance to stop at several viewpoints. In the afternoon<br />
you can stop at a few attractions and explore the<br />
sunny Italian side of the resort. For lunch, a gourmet<br />
restaurant chose specially for you. To top it off you also<br />
get the opportunity to go on a helicopter tour around<br />
the Matterhorn.<br />
Off Piste<br />
Half or full day of Off Piste instruction and guiding.<br />
Instructors know the area well, so you’re guaranteed<br />
the amazing freeride runs of the resort.<br />
Metzggasse 9, 3920,<br />
Zermatt, Switzerland<br />
Tel +41 79 136 05 54<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
21
Vienna City of<br />
Culture Old Masters –<br />
Young Experts<br />
in partnership with<br />
22<br />
The world’s largest Bruegel collection and the prettiest kiss<br />
immortalized by Jugendstil genius Gustav Klimt in his worldfamous<br />
painting can only be found in Vienna. The cultural capital<br />
is also a place where you can discover a rich diversity of styles and<br />
eras. Baroque opulence and cool avant-garde coexist in an exciting<br />
creative environment. Pieces by talented young designers now hang<br />
in the ornate staterooms and are just as impressive as the old masters<br />
found in Vienna’s modern museums.<br />
The Albertina, a former Habsburg palace, houses one of the most<br />
important art collections in the world. Important exhibitions take place<br />
here, and the museum’s own collection is spectacular, with names<br />
such as Matisse, Renoir and Miro. The Kunsthistorisches Museum<br />
Vienna on the Ringstrasse is devoted to Old Masters. Art treasures<br />
from all the key eras are on display here, in particular examples from<br />
the Renaissance and Baroque periods by Rubens, Titian, Rembrandt<br />
and Raphael. The museum also holds the world’s largest collection<br />
of works by Bruegel. The Kunstkammer is one of the most important<br />
in the world: More than 2,100 objects, collected over centuries by the<br />
Habsburgs, are on show.
The Baroque Belvedere<br />
Palace is home to the<br />
biggest collection of Klimts<br />
in the world, including<br />
The Kiss. The Secession<br />
Building, which was used<br />
as an exhibition space<br />
by Klimt‘s secessionist<br />
group of artists, awaits<br />
at Karlsplatz. While<br />
Klimt’s world-famous<br />
“Beethoven Frieze” can be<br />
marveled at on the ground<br />
floor, contemporary art<br />
is presented in the main<br />
exhibition room.<br />
23
Renowned 20th century artists are represented at<br />
the MuseumsQuartier. Built by Baroque architect<br />
Fischer von Erlach, the former court stables now host<br />
a whole new district. The courtyard is once again<br />
brimming with life thanks to the Leopold Museum<br />
— the Schiele collection is world-renowned — the<br />
Museum Moderner Kunst (mumok), Kunsthalle Wien,<br />
Architekturzentrum, Designforum, and various shops,<br />
cafés and restaurants. The Belvedere 21 near the<br />
Upper Belvedere, built in 1958 for the World Expo, has<br />
been renovated and shows Austrian art of the 20th<br />
and 21st centuries. Numerous galleries, especially in<br />
the 1st and 4th districts, also offer contemporary art<br />
and impress with small, but mighty exhibitions on<br />
their premises. And a historic bread factory in the 10th<br />
district is now home to more than ten institutions of<br />
contemporary art, including Galerie OstLicht, which<br />
together with WestLicht has dedicated itself entirely<br />
to photography.<br />
Photographic art can also be marveled at in the Kunst<br />
Haus Wien, which was designed by the Viennese artist<br />
Friedensreich Hundertwasser – together with the<br />
nearby Hundertwasserhaus – in his very own style.<br />
24
Young artists also create a buzz about themselves every year in the autumn<br />
at the viennacontemporary art fair Parallel Vienna, at the gallery festival<br />
curated by, and in November at Vienna Art Week. New from 2019 is the festival<br />
Foto Wien, which organizes photographic exhibitions throughout the city for<br />
a whole month. Local creative types also show their works during Vienna<br />
Design Week. However, this special photo show only takes place every two<br />
years. Stars on the Austrian and international art scene can always be found<br />
at the mumok and the Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Arts, or MAK<br />
for short.<br />
A rest in one of the city’s traditional<br />
coffee houses is highly re<strong>com</strong>mended<br />
following a visit to one of the museums.<br />
Take a seat — with any luck it will be a<br />
Thonet — and treat yourself. This too is<br />
very much a part of Viennese culture.<br />
<strong>www</strong>.vienna.info<br />
25
Luxury<br />
Mountain<br />
Getaways<br />
For anyone disappointed in missing out on<br />
a summer beach holiday we propose going<br />
on a luxury mountain getaway instead. These<br />
sorts of trips can be just as soothing as a beach<br />
holiday with an added touch of elegance. You<br />
can find plenty of luxury hotels and resorts like<br />
you would on a beach break, there are breathtaking<br />
mountain views to replace sea views, and<br />
the restaurant & bar scene will surprise you.<br />
26
What to do?<br />
Of course, on a mountain trip you won’t get the sun like you’re used to on a beach holiday or the opportunity to take a<br />
dip in the warm sea but there are plenty of leisurely pursuits on offer that can more than make up for this.<br />
Hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and paragliding are all popular mountain getaway<br />
activities. Although much is on offer by way outdoor activities, you don’t have to take part in any of these to make the<br />
most out of a mountain holiday.<br />
Mountain getaways offer the perfect opportunity to relax and switch off, a warm drink overlooking spectacular mountain<br />
views is more than enough to melt any stress away. Many destinations tend to be home to world class spa’s, thermal<br />
springs, and heated pools, so you get that added dimension to unwind.<br />
Where to Go?<br />
Any of the major ski resorts in <strong>Europe</strong> such as<br />
Courcheval, Chamonix, Zermatt, St Moritz, St Anton<br />
am Arlberg, Kitzbuhel, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, are<br />
excellent options. At these resorts you’ll find plenty<br />
to do, fantastic restaurants, loads of good bars,<br />
cultural attractions, and great places to stay.<br />
We re<strong>com</strong>mend Kaprun home of <strong>Travel</strong> and<br />
<strong>Hospitality</strong> award winner the Kaprun Edition,<br />
profiled on page 28. Here you’ll find excellent<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modation set amongst the backdrop of the<br />
majestic Austrian Alps.<br />
27
Kaprun Edition<br />
Austria | Luxury Chalets<br />
Where Holiday Dreams Come True!<br />
Nestled away at the foothills of the Austrian alps in Salzburg lies the<br />
Kaprun Edition Lodges. considered as some of the finest in <strong>Europe</strong>.<br />
Whether you are travelling in the winter or summer, alone or in a<br />
large group you’ll find that the Kaprun Edition lodges, apartments<br />
and chalets are all wel<strong>com</strong>ing, spacious, beautifully decorated,<br />
efficiently run and the epitome of luxury.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
Currently there are six distinct property types<br />
available to ac<strong>com</strong>modate a variety of guests.<br />
What you will find consistent amongst all the<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modation is the range of high-quality<br />
amenities, services, and stunning décor.<br />
The setting is one of traditional rustic<br />
design <strong>com</strong>bined with all the trapping<br />
of modern luxury and vividness.<br />
28
The Kaprun Edition – Signature Luxury Chalets<br />
These four wooden chalets are the signature offering<br />
by the Kaprun Edition. World class luxury chalets that<br />
can ac<strong>com</strong>modate anywhere from 12 to 24 people.<br />
You can expect absolute privacy <strong>com</strong>bined with<br />
personal hospitality and an authentic experience.<br />
Along with the lush amenities you’ll have your own<br />
private sauna, hot tub, terrace, and lovely river view.<br />
Adventure Lodge by Kaprun Edition<br />
If you’re after something different and somewhat<br />
unusual then look no further for the adventure lodge at<br />
Kaprun allows you the unique experience of sleeping<br />
in a barrel. This exceptional wooden chalet <strong>com</strong>es<br />
with three bedrooms and on the private terrace two<br />
utterly unique sleeping barrels, each with their own<br />
bathroom barrel and sauna barrel. The adventure<br />
lodge will leave you with a truly memorable sleeping<br />
experience.<br />
Schulstrasse 15, 5710<br />
Kaprun, Austria<br />
Tel +43 664 9416950<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
29
Flying Lodge by Kaprun Edition<br />
For panoramic views check out the flying<br />
lodge. Built on stilts these lodges look like<br />
they’re almost floating. There are currently<br />
two on offer that can ac<strong>com</strong>modate up to 12<br />
people each. Expect alpine charm, modern<br />
ambience, and amazing views.<br />
Country House Lodge<br />
Also known as Landhous lodge and has<br />
a unique classic charm feel about it. The<br />
property is home to eight lovely, fully<br />
furnished and homely apartments plus a<br />
large sauna. Apartments are a perfect fit for a<br />
couple or small group.<br />
Style Lodge<br />
The newest addition to the Kaprun family,<br />
the style lodge is equipped with four chic<br />
apartments including a stunning penthouse<br />
suite that <strong>com</strong>es <strong>com</strong>plete with a private<br />
glass sauna and whirlpool that offer<br />
panoramic views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.<br />
30
Mara Lodge<br />
An excellent value for money option. These<br />
nine apartments offer the same brilliant quality<br />
services as all the properties listed above but<br />
without the extra’s. The perfect spot for those<br />
looking for a solid base in Kaprun,<br />
Activities<br />
The team at Kaprun are more than happy to<br />
arrange activities, excursions, and transfers.<br />
The dedicated staff are knowledgeable and well<br />
connected so you’re ensured the absolute best<br />
in any leisure activity you decide to partake in.<br />
Zell am see, where Kaprun is located, isn’t<br />
short on winter and summer activities for you<br />
to do. The big one in winter of course is hitting<br />
the slopes for a bit of skiing or snowboarding.<br />
Private ski instructor and ski rental can be<br />
booked before arrival. Snowshoe hikes and<br />
cross-country ski trails make for a great day<br />
out and for something a little less taxing check<br />
out the toboggan runs. Both can be booked at<br />
the property.<br />
31
32
It is in the summer where the beauty of the<br />
region really <strong>com</strong>es to life. Mountain lakes,<br />
deep valleys, alpine pastures, and stunning<br />
waterfalls await those who venture out. There<br />
are hundreds of kilometres of hiking, cycling<br />
and mountain biking trails leading through the<br />
heart of the region.<br />
You may decide to pamper yourself and for<br />
this you have the wonderfully rated Tauern Spa<br />
located only a few minutes away.<br />
All these activities, the spa and much more<br />
can be arranged by the team at Kaprun who<br />
are more than happy to help.<br />
Location<br />
The Kaprun Edition chalets are easily<br />
accessible. Transfers can be arranged from<br />
nearby airports in Innsbruck and Salzburg.<br />
There are also several train options from major<br />
Austrian, German and Italian cities. These take<br />
you in to Zell am see station which is only a 10<br />
minute to Kaprun.<br />
33
Susanne Fischer<br />
Manager | The Kaprun Edition<br />
The Kaprun Edition is of the finest Chalet resorts<br />
in all of <strong>Europe</strong>, this award-winning <strong>com</strong>plex,<br />
located in the heartland of Austria, is home to<br />
several stunning well-maintained chalets and<br />
suites run by a world class team. The individual<br />
behind all this is none other than our Manager of<br />
the year for Austria, Mrs Susanne Fischer.<br />
Susanne’s journey in the tourism industry began<br />
at an incredibly young age. Being born into the<br />
Fischer family, a well-known local family working<br />
primarily in the hospitality industry, allowed for a<br />
unique insight and experience, much of which<br />
formed the early ideas of what Susanne wanted<br />
for her own <strong>com</strong>pany. To match this experience<br />
Susanne enrolled in a tourism and management<br />
degree finishing with top honours.<br />
34
This <strong>com</strong>bination of early experience,<br />
through family, and technical understanding,<br />
through education, gave Susanne the perfect<br />
foundation to realise her dream to build the<br />
finest wooden Chalet houses in the Austrian<br />
alps with the ultimate guest experience as<br />
it’s core value.<br />
Before this was possible Susanne undertook<br />
a decade of experience working across the<br />
hospitality industry in various roles, teams,<br />
and management structures. Then in 2010<br />
Susanne took the plunge, after scouting<br />
several locations she found the perfect spot<br />
next to the river of Kaprun in the quaint town<br />
of Kaprun. Over the years, bit by bit, the<br />
Kaprun edition has be<strong>com</strong>e a sort of “town<br />
within a town” with the continued focus on<br />
guest experience.<br />
Today Susanne oversees the Kaprun Edition<br />
ensuring guests are happy and setting the<br />
standard for all her staff. Although her dreams<br />
have been realised Susanne is not one to sit<br />
on her laurels and is dedicated to continually<br />
improve guest experience.<br />
35
Getting Lost in German’s<br />
Christmas Markets<br />
Germany’s Christmas markets are illustrious, so much so<br />
that many places across the world have their own. City’s<br />
such as Prague, Birmingham, Vienna, Toronto, and Chicago,<br />
are all famed for their annual German Christmas markets. The<br />
markets are like a special event, taking over a large part of a<br />
city centre for a few weeks, a place where visitors are treated<br />
to authentic German beer, a jovial atmosphere, a whole host<br />
of sweet treats, delicious snacks, and unique souvenir shops.<br />
Dresden’s Strietzelmark held in 1434 is generally considered the<br />
first Christmas market, although winter markets had already<br />
been established in Vienna, Munich, Bautzen, and Frankfurt.<br />
Since then, Christmas markets have grown exponentially to the<br />
point that every city and small town in the country has its own.<br />
German immigrants bought this tradition to new settlements<br />
leading to markets being established all over North America.<br />
The markets in the UK were actually opened in the late 1990’s<br />
backed by support from the city of Frankfurt.<br />
36
For a genuine experience we suggest you visit a Christmas market in Germany. We’ve picked out five of the best.<br />
Berlin’s Christmas Markets<br />
Berlin<br />
Weihnachtsmarkt Am Kölner Dom<br />
Cologne<br />
Nuremberg Christkindlesmark<br />
Nuremberg<br />
Dresden Striezelmarkt<br />
Dresden<br />
Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt<br />
Leipzig<br />
37
The Magic<br />
of Lapland<br />
So far, this chapter has covered winter holidays centred<br />
around mainland <strong>Europe</strong> with a focus on countries<br />
surrounding the alps. These are an obvious choice for most<br />
in terms of accessibility and infrastructure. The alternative<br />
winter holiday destination to the Alps, however, is of course<br />
the Nordic countries.<br />
Made up of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and<br />
Sweden, the Nordic countries are a great choice for a<br />
winter break. Our preferred destination nevertheless is the<br />
province of Lapland in Finland.<br />
Located in the arctic north of Finland, Lapland is considered<br />
one of the best winter holiday destinations in the world<br />
especially during the Christmas period as the area is home<br />
Santa Claus’s village.<br />
38
The best way to reach Lapland is through<br />
flying with Finnair to one of four <strong>com</strong>mercial<br />
airports in the region. To get around there are<br />
bus services in operation, although these are<br />
sparse, they are effective in reaching even<br />
the smallest of spaces. Another more costly<br />
but convenient method is self-drive or hire a<br />
private driver.<br />
When it <strong>com</strong>es to things to do, you’ll find plenty<br />
of options. As mentioned above Santa Claus’s<br />
village is an extremely popular attraction<br />
in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The<br />
village is home to Santa’s workshop where<br />
you can meet him in person, see his reindeer,<br />
peruse the gift shop, and revel in the joyous<br />
atmosphere.<br />
Lapland offers up a fantastic opportunity to<br />
see the Northern lights. During winter from<br />
December to February you have the best<br />
chance when its much darker for longer. Be<br />
prepared to go out to remote areas to do this,<br />
many <strong>com</strong>panies arrange special tours. Or<br />
better yet you can stay in resorts purposefully<br />
built-in rural areas to spot the aurora.<br />
Snowmobiling, cross country skiing, dog sledding, reindeer<br />
sleighing, fishing, and hunting are all other amazing activities<br />
on offer.<br />
In terms of lodging, we advise you check into the excellent<br />
Star Arctic Hotel, where you’ll find unique ac<strong>com</strong>modation,<br />
and spectacular views in the heart of Lapland. Turn over to the<br />
next page to find out more.<br />
39
Star Arctic Hotel<br />
Finland | Resort<br />
The Star Arctic Hotel is an architectural marvel, this stunning establishment is<br />
beautifully designed, fully serviced and perfectly located for a truly magical<br />
Finnish experience.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation <strong>com</strong>es in the form of elegant suites and cabins, all of<br />
which offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape during the day<br />
and the aurora at night. You can choose from the standard suite or for<br />
a more traditional Finnish experience you do have option of suite<br />
with a private in-room sauna. The cabins are perhaps the most<br />
exquisite of all the ac<strong>com</strong>modation options as these <strong>com</strong>e with<br />
a glass roof. This innovative approach means guests can gaze<br />
upon the glistening night sky while lying in bed waiting for<br />
the Aurora. All rooms <strong>com</strong>e with free wi-fi, mini-fridge, flat<br />
screen TV and geothermal heating.<br />
A sauna is an essential ingredient in any Finnish<br />
hospitality experience, so it’ll <strong>com</strong>e as no surprise<br />
to hear that the Star Arctic Hotel is home to not<br />
one but two stylish saunas. Both are privately<br />
bookable, offer panoramic views and are<br />
connected to a landscaped terrace with an<br />
outdoor hot tub.<br />
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For a good meal at Star Arctic you don’t have<br />
to go too far, in fact most guests choose<br />
to dine at the on-site restaurant, Kaunis.<br />
Kaunis restaurant is well known in the region<br />
for its modern spin on traditional Lappish<br />
dishes, fresh local produce, excellent bar and<br />
beautiful views.<br />
When you are in this unique part of the world<br />
it’s always best to take advantage of the local<br />
and seasonal. With the Star Arctic hotel, you<br />
can rent bikes, go snowmobiling, go on an<br />
authentic husky experience, reindeer sleigh<br />
riding, ice fishing and aurora hunting.<br />
Ylämajantie 1, 99830<br />
Saariselkä, Finland<br />
Tel +358 (0) 444194000<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
41
Turkey<br />
<br />
42
Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
43
Istanbul<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>’s Most<br />
Beautiful City<br />
The ancient city of Istanbul is without a doubt one of<br />
the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s home to<br />
several stunning attractions such as the Hagia Sophia,<br />
Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace and Grand<br />
Bazaar, to name but a few. Separated by the Bosphorus<br />
straits the city is the largest transcontinental city in the<br />
world with <strong>Europe</strong>an side located on the West of the<br />
Bosphorus and the Asian side on the East.<br />
The city is home to a thriving culinary scene, a diverse<br />
shopping culture, friendly locals, a well-connected<br />
transport hub, and thousands of restaurants & bars. A<br />
stroll through any of the old neighbourhoods will make you<br />
feel like you’ve travelled back in time, the sounds, smells<br />
and feel in the air is in some ways no different than what it<br />
would have been centuries ago.<br />
44
When you consider all that Istanbul<br />
has to offer it <strong>com</strong>es as no surprise<br />
that the city consistently ranks as one<br />
of the top 10 most visited cities in the<br />
world. Once you’re in Istanbul it can<br />
be a daunting place to explore with so<br />
many neighbourhoods, attractions, and<br />
shopping hubs, sparsely spread out.<br />
Most visitors focus on the old town of<br />
Fatih and for good reason, it’s home to<br />
a wide variety of landmarks, museums,<br />
restaurants, and it’s always bustling.<br />
Past this there are other areas worth<br />
exploring; some of these such Beyoglu<br />
or Taksim Square get more tourists<br />
then other lesser known but equally<br />
fascinating locales like Kadikoy or Balat.<br />
To assist you on your Istanbul<br />
adventure, we’ve assembled a handy<br />
guide highlighting our expert tour guide<br />
in the city and detailing five of the most<br />
popular neighbourhoods. This includes<br />
information on what to do, where to eat,<br />
and where to stay.<br />
45
46<br />
My Local Guide<br />
Salih Batkin<br />
Meet our Istanbul Expert and Award Winner Salih Batkin!<br />
Navigating such a large city as Istanbul can be a<br />
challenge, it can exciting discovering all that the little back<br />
streets, small vendors, and many charms of the city. However,<br />
this can take its toll and is time consuming so not ideal if<br />
you’re only in the city for a few days. This is where our expert,<br />
Salih Batkin, of My Local Guide <strong>com</strong>es in. Salih is a friendly,<br />
knowledgeable, and experience tour guide who knows the city<br />
like the back of his hand.<br />
Tours are affordable, exciting, and well planned. On offer are<br />
numerous daily tours that anyone can join. The highlights<br />
of Istanbul tour cover’s all the top sites plus the bonus of<br />
traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant. Past this the<br />
Istanbul Heritage tour dives deeper into the lesser-known<br />
historic attractions of the city. For a truly off the beaten path<br />
experience, we re<strong>com</strong>mend the delightful Secrets of Istanbul<br />
tour, a fantastic opportunity to discover hidden gems of old<br />
Constantinople, visit places that are not easy to find on their<br />
own, and hear stories of Istanbul legends.
Istanbul is one of the culinary capitals of<br />
the world and a tour to match is a must.<br />
The Tast of Istanbul on Two Continents<br />
tour is wonderful and delves deep into<br />
the city’s culinary scene. Enjoy dinner<br />
in Asia and dessert in <strong>Europe</strong> all while<br />
discovering the flavours of Turkey.<br />
All daily tours are available as private<br />
tours and can even be tailored to suit<br />
specific needs and requirements. Maybe<br />
you have your own idea of what you want<br />
to see, or are in the city for a layover, or<br />
would simply like to <strong>com</strong>bine elements<br />
of the different public tours, for this and<br />
so much more Salih and his team are<br />
more than happy to ac<strong>com</strong>modate.<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
47
Fatih<br />
The beating heart and centre of<br />
the old city, Fatih is on every firsttime<br />
visitors’ itinerary. It was once<br />
the political centre of the Roman,<br />
Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and<br />
today serves as the home of several<br />
heritage sites. The area is always<br />
vibrant and busy, wandering the<br />
streets will give you a real sense for<br />
the rich history of Istanbul.<br />
48
Why Visit?<br />
An easy one to answer, Fatih boasts some<br />
of Istanbul’s most famous attractions.<br />
The beautiful Blue Mosque and Hagia<br />
Sophia sitting opposite each other are<br />
both iconic, easily recognisable and are<br />
beautifully decorated inside and out.<br />
Another famous attraction is the Topkapi<br />
Palace which was once home to the<br />
Ottoman sultans in the 15th and 16th<br />
Centuries. Today the palace serves as<br />
a museum housing several important<br />
Islamic artefacts.<br />
The Basilica Cistern will allow for a<br />
unique experience. The Cistern is one of<br />
many built under Istanbul, this one is the<br />
largest.<br />
The Grand Bazaar <strong>com</strong>bines shopping<br />
and history. This centuries old and mazy<br />
bazaar is chock-full of over vendors ready<br />
to haggle with tourists over a whole host<br />
of items such as clothes, souvenirs,<br />
jewellery, artwork, and spices.<br />
Places to Eat<br />
You’ll find plenty of street vendors serving fresh doner, sandwiches, ice<br />
cream, Turkish pizzas, and Simit. The food is normally fresh, popular with<br />
the locals, and cheap.<br />
For a sit-down restaurant, we re<strong>com</strong>mend Divella Bistro serving traditional<br />
Turkish and Ottoman cuisine. Hanzade Terrace Restaurant offers a tranquil<br />
rooftop dining experience with beautiful views of the city.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
Our preferred choice in Fatih is the Sura Design Hotel & Suites, an<br />
elegant hotel in the perfect location to explore the area. Find out more<br />
on the next page.<br />
49
Sura Design<br />
Hotel and Suites<br />
Turkey | Hotel<br />
Located in the heart of the old town of Istanbul, Sura Design Hotel & Suites<br />
is a magnificent property ready to wel<strong>com</strong>e even the most discerning<br />
of guests. The unique interior is designed with elegance and traditional<br />
Ottoman motifs in mind with the lighting perfectly <strong>com</strong>plimenting an<br />
overall graceful tone.<br />
The property boasts 60 rooms and suites, all finished to a<br />
high quality and elegant standard. Options include a deluxe<br />
double, family, and triple room as well as a Deluxe double<br />
with a balcony. Our favourite however is the gorgeous<br />
and roomy loft suite, located on the top floor that<br />
<strong>com</strong>es with a balcony which can only mean one<br />
thing, spectacular views of the city. All rooms<br />
feature air conditioning, an LCD TV with<br />
satellite, fully stocked minibar, espresso<br />
machine and de-luxe toiletries. All stays<br />
<strong>com</strong>e with a delicious <strong>com</strong>plimentary<br />
breakfast serving both local and<br />
international delicacies.<br />
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If you are a foodie then you’re in luck the Sura Design<br />
Hotel & Suites is home to three of the best restaurants<br />
in the city. The first is the Galeyan restaurant famed for<br />
serving traditional cuisine made using organic ingredients<br />
sourced from the hotel’s own farm. The second is the<br />
Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant known locally for<br />
serving a wide range of authentic Ottoman cuisine with<br />
dishes from Central Asia, Iran, Anatolia, and the Balkans.<br />
The third one is the Deraliye Terrace Restaurant.<br />
The hotel is more than ready to ac<strong>com</strong>modate all your<br />
wellness needs and as you’d expect provides a traditional<br />
Turkish bath and SPA as well as several massage options<br />
along with a fitness centre and an outdoor pool.<br />
With the Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet<br />
Square, the Blue mosque and the majestic Hagia Sophia<br />
located minutes away on foot you’d be hard pressed to<br />
find a better suited location for your stay. The nearest<br />
tram stop is easy to reach and provides easy access to all<br />
of Istanbul.<br />
Divanyolu Cd. Alemdar Mh.,<br />
Ticarethane Sk. No:10,<br />
Sultanahmet, Istanbul<br />
Tel +90 212 522 32 00<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
51
Eyüpsultan<br />
This one may surprise some people because the<br />
district as whole stretches all the way up to the<br />
black sea. For the purposes of this piece, we will focus<br />
on the bit of Eyupsultan located by the Northern<br />
shores of the Golden Horn. The area in general has<br />
grown in popularity as a desirable place to live and as<br />
an alternative to the main touristy districts.<br />
52
Why Visit?<br />
There are two main visitor attractions in<br />
Eyüpsultan, the first is the Eyüpsultan mosque<br />
and the second the Pierre Loti Hill.<br />
The Eyüpsultan mosque holds a lot of value for<br />
many Islamic travellers. The area as a whole<br />
and the mosque are named after the Prophet<br />
Muhammeds warrior <strong>com</strong>panion who was said<br />
to have been slain in battle on a hill nearby, the<br />
mosque was in fact built after his tomb was<br />
found in the 15th century. Eyupsultan, known<br />
more <strong>com</strong>monly as Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, is<br />
considered one of the holiest figures in Islam<br />
and the mosque is now a point of pilgrimage.<br />
The second famous attraction in the area is the<br />
Pierre Loti Hill, named after a French writer who<br />
fell in love with the city, for a time lived in Eyup,<br />
and was eventually given the title of honorary<br />
citizen of Istanbul. Today the hill is a famous<br />
viewpoint site that is best reached via a cable<br />
car. The journey to the up the hill is pleasant and<br />
at the top there a café, a perfect spot to enjoy<br />
some Turkish tea and take in the panoramic<br />
views.<br />
Places to Eat<br />
An obvious chose here is the Pierre Loti Café located on Pierre<br />
Loti hill, reviews are good, the menu is simple and the views are<br />
amazing. Nearby you’ll also fine one the cities best Pide spots<br />
called Kuzine Pide.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
We re<strong>com</strong>mend the Mövenpick Hotel istanbul Golden Horn, as the<br />
name suggests it’s located on the shores of the Golden Horn, in<br />
the Eyupsultan area.<br />
53
Beyoglu<br />
A<br />
large district districted famed<br />
for its cosmopolitan vibe, night<br />
life, architecture, restaurants, chic<br />
apartments, and of course Istiklal<br />
Avenue.<br />
Why Visit?<br />
The main reason to visit Beyoglu is<br />
to take in the city, enjoy the boutique<br />
shops, edgy bars, hipster coffee<br />
shops, and the beautiful centuries<br />
old architecture. Even the two<br />
most iconic attractions the Galata<br />
tower and Taksim square, serve this<br />
purpose.<br />
The Galata towers has a restaurant<br />
and café operating on the upper<br />
floors, that also serve as a night<br />
club. Taksim Square, Istanbul’s<br />
answer to Times Square in New York,<br />
is renowned as a point of leisure<br />
offering great shopping, places to<br />
eat, bars and clubs.<br />
Istiklal Avenue is a long<br />
pedestrianised street and the centre<br />
of shopping in the city. Here you’ll<br />
find plenty of big brand outlets and<br />
small boutiques. The avenue alone<br />
isn’t the only place to shop and there<br />
are plenty of streets leading off it<br />
that are worth exploring.<br />
For a night out check out the Asmali<br />
Mescit district located south-east<br />
of Istiklal avenue. The area boasts<br />
several bars, clubs, and taverns, all<br />
bustling almost every night of the<br />
week.<br />
54
Places to Eat<br />
The biggest benefit of Beyoglu is the<br />
thriving culinary scene, you won’t<br />
have too much difficulty finding a nice<br />
restaurant or street food vendor. For<br />
something, a bit more unique check out<br />
the 1924 eatery, an iconic spot to pick up<br />
classic Russian dishes and homemade<br />
vodka. Duble Meze Bar <strong>com</strong>bines<br />
the humble meze with a fine dining<br />
experience, expect a modern take on<br />
Meze classics all in a rooftop setting that<br />
offers breath-taking views of the city.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
We have two distinct suggestions for<br />
Beyoglu. The first a modern luxury hotel,<br />
the Sheraton Istanbul City centre and<br />
the second a self-catering apartment<br />
called No 8 Galate. Both <strong>Travel</strong> and<br />
<strong>Hospitality</strong> Award winners profile over<br />
the next four pages.<br />
55
No 8 Galata<br />
Istanbul, Turkey | Apartments<br />
56<br />
Feel the real Istanbul with Galata Suites!!<br />
Located in the trendy district of Beyoglu this property is the perfect<br />
place to stay to get a taste of the real soul of Istanbul. You’ll find yourself<br />
only a few minutes away from the famous Kamondo Stairs, Galata<br />
tower, a whole host of restaurants, bars and coffee shops. You’ll<br />
find this is perfect location to base yourself to explore the rest of<br />
the city, with easy access to the trams and ferry ports.<br />
As far as rooms go you have the choice of a few different suites<br />
these are the classic, deluxe, design and modern. Each suite<br />
has its own style and individuality but in all of them you<br />
will find a kitchen, dishwasher, flat sceen TV, ironing<br />
facilities, a desk and seating area. Laundry service,<br />
car rental and further business facilities can be<br />
provided, all you need to do is ask. Staff are more<br />
than happy to oblige and will strive look after<br />
you during your stay.<br />
Should you decide to go with the modern<br />
or deluxe suites you’ll be able to enjoy<br />
your own private balcony.
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Bereketzade Mah. Banker<br />
Sk., No:8 D:1, Beyoğlu,<br />
İstanbul, Turkey<br />
Tel +90 212 245 66 60<br />
57
Sheraton Istanbul<br />
City Center<br />
Istanbul, Turkey | Family Friendly Hotel<br />
Where the world Comes Together!!<br />
Beyoglu is the trendy centre of Istanbul and as such is home to some<br />
great hotels. None more so popular than the delightful Sheraton Istanbul City<br />
Center. As with any Sheraton you can expect a world class service, friendly<br />
staff, tastefully decorated rooms, a range of facilities and most of all a<br />
satisfying experience.<br />
You are more than wel<strong>com</strong>e to stay in one of the 254 <strong>com</strong>fortable<br />
and spacious guest rooms. King and twin-size bed selections are<br />
available in any one of the guest, deluxe and executive rooms,<br />
as well as in the junior and executive suites. All rooms are air<br />
conditioned, well stocked, include free wi-fi, and Nespresso<br />
machines. Along with the extra space the further bonus<br />
of the executive room, junior suite and executive suite<br />
is access to the exclusive Sheraton Club Lounge.<br />
Sheraton Club Lounge is a great place to work,<br />
connect with friends and enjoy a few drinks.<br />
58
Istanbul is a city brimming with attractions, landmarks,<br />
restaurants, and shopping centre but if you’d prefer to stay<br />
in, then the Sheraton Istanbul City Center has more than<br />
enough to stave off any boredom. On-site there is a fitness<br />
centre, indoor pool, paddle tennis court and a spa. For food<br />
you’ve got all day dining at the Nev’i Lokma restaurant<br />
where you will find the buffet breakfast, a la carte menu and<br />
traditional Anatolian dishes. If you’d like a drink and some<br />
snacks check out the Legends bar. The popular Istanbul<br />
Baking Company has a cafe on site, it is the perfect place<br />
for a coffee and high-quality baked goods.<br />
The Sheraton Istanbul City Center is more than ready to<br />
handle your business needs along with the Sheraton Club<br />
Lounge there are seven modern meeting rooms to choose<br />
from as well as the grand ballroom for larger conferences.<br />
Finally <strong>com</strong>ing soon is the Souq Istanbul. a unique concept<br />
space <strong>com</strong>bining a Souq, local dining options and shisha<br />
with an authentic indoor and outdoor event space.<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Haci Ahmet Mah, Kurtulus Deresi Cad.<br />
No:23, Beyoglu, Istanbul, 34440, Turkey<br />
Tel +90 212 806 10 10<br />
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Besiktas<br />
A<br />
chilled out and historic<br />
neighbourhood, Besiktas has a<br />
reputation of being one of the city’s<br />
<strong>com</strong>mercial, artistic, and residential<br />
centres. The shores of the Bosphorus<br />
in Besiktas are noteworthy for its high<br />
value real estate. Ottoman rulers built<br />
their palaces here and a fair few luxury<br />
hotel brands can be found such as the<br />
Les Ottoman, Four Seasons, and the<br />
Shangri-La.<br />
60
Places to Eat<br />
The Besiktas Saturday market is a great place to pick up<br />
street food especially fresh fish sandwiches. For artisan<br />
coffee check out the Black Owl coffee shop, it has a relaxed<br />
vibe and an enticing selection of sweet treats.<br />
For something, a little different we propose you visit<br />
Chalet, a restaurant specialising in swiss cuisine. A friendly<br />
atmosphere and delicious dishes await.<br />
Why Visit?<br />
A visit to the Dolmabahce Palace is a must, this is one<br />
of the largest Palaces in <strong>Europe</strong> and consists of almost<br />
300 rooms. It’s well-known for its stunning interior and<br />
neo-classical exterior, decorated with gold and crystal.<br />
Another impressive structure is the Yildiz palace which is<br />
actually <strong>com</strong>plex of buildings that includes apartments,<br />
pavilions, villas, a theatre, and extensive garden that are<br />
open to the public.<br />
Besiktas is one of Istanbul’s sea hubs making it an ideal<br />
place to begin a boat tour. There are several available<br />
from a relaxing dinner cruise to a longer trip all the way<br />
to the Black Sea. An inexpensive option is to simply take<br />
the ferry to the Asian side, the views of the city along<br />
the way will not disappoint.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
The area boasts several world class hotels but none better<br />
than the stunning Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, featured<br />
on the next page.<br />
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Shangri-La Bosphorus<br />
Istanbul, Turkey | Luxury Hotel<br />
Once an abandoned tobacco warehouse dating back to the<br />
twenties, today one of the finest hotels in the world. The<br />
Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, is luxury personified, a hotel very<br />
few in <strong>Europe</strong> can <strong>com</strong>pete with.<br />
Ideally located on the Bosphorus next to the prestigious<br />
Dolmabahce Palace on the <strong>Europe</strong>an side this enchanting<br />
retreat draws on influences of the East and West. Guests<br />
can expect an elegantly designed hotel with all the<br />
trapping of timeless luxury inspired by palatial<br />
Ottoman glamour and Asian design elements.<br />
A total of 186 modern rooms and suites are<br />
housed in the property looking out to either<br />
the hotels inner atrium, the city or the<br />
spectacular Bosphorus Strait.<br />
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In a city famed for its wellness, Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-La<br />
certainly stands out. Chi, The Spa is inspired by traditional Asian<br />
healing philosophies, with a focus on holistic principles such<br />
as restoring balance and harmony to both the mind and body.<br />
Chi, The Spa contains a range of private spa suites, customised<br />
massages and uses primarily organic products. Chi, The Spa<br />
is <strong>com</strong>plimented by a state-of-the-art fitness centre, indoor<br />
swimming pool, a separate children’s pool, and hot whirlpool bath.<br />
Dining in at the Shangri-La is truly a treat for taste buds. The<br />
hotel is home to 2 fabulous restaurants the IST TOO and the<br />
Shang Palace. IST TOO offers beautiful scenic views to go along<br />
with the exceptional international dishes on offer that includes<br />
noodles, sushi, pasta, and seafood as well as a colourful and<br />
diverse selection of Turkish delicacies. The Shang Palace on the<br />
other hand is an award-winning signature restaurant that brings<br />
the heart of Shangri La’s Asian heritage to life with authentic<br />
Chinese-Cantonese dishes.<br />
Overall, it’s not difficult to see why the Shangri-La Bosphorus,<br />
Istanbul, is considered one of the best in the world, if you still have<br />
any doubts why not spend a night. You’ll never want to leave!!<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Sinanpaşa, Hayrettin İskelesi Sk.<br />
D:No.1, 34353, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
Tel +90 212 275 88 88<br />
63
Kadikoy<br />
The lively portside of Kadikoy is<br />
a great place for a day trip from<br />
the <strong>Europe</strong>an side and is oftentimes<br />
missed off many itineraries. This area<br />
is the best way to experience the city<br />
through the eyes of a local.<br />
Why Visit?<br />
Kadikoy doesn’t offer much in<br />
the way of historic landmarks<br />
or engaging museums, instead<br />
expect more local pursuits.<br />
Shopping in Kadikoy is a treat as<br />
you’re getting less of the touristy<br />
outlets and more of the local<br />
boutiques. Head on over to Bağdat<br />
Avenue, seen as the Asian and<br />
more authentic counterpart of<br />
Istiklal Avenue.<br />
The Bostanci Lunapark is a popular<br />
urban amusement park and a lovely<br />
place to spend a few hours. The<br />
Caddebostan Plajı beach is popular<br />
with locals and a pleasant family<br />
friendly attraction.<br />
Fans of football will be pleased to<br />
hear that Kadikoy is home to the<br />
mighty Fenerbahce, the stadium is<br />
modern and matchday atmosphere<br />
in and around the area is electric.<br />
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Places to Eat<br />
There are hundreds of restaurants and cafes<br />
here offering a more relaxed vibe than on the<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an side. Ciya Sofrasi is a great choice<br />
if you’re looking for a diverse Anatolian menu,<br />
the Basta Street Food Bar offers up a unique<br />
spin on the traditional doner wrap, and finally<br />
the Sakar Zeybek is the ideal place to enjoy<br />
fresh seafood and consume some local Raki.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
Should you decide you want to spend a couple of nights in Kadikoy<br />
to fully explore then the Marmara Suadiye Residences are ready to<br />
wel<strong>com</strong>e you. Turn over to the next page for a full in-depth showcase<br />
of the property.<br />
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The Marmara Suadiye<br />
Residence<br />
Istanbul, Turkey | Business Apartments<br />
Istanbul’s Eastern side is often overlooked, after all the Western<br />
or <strong>Europe</strong>an side is home to the famous old town, Golden horn,<br />
Istiklal avenue and a whole host of great restaurants. However,<br />
should you have the need to stay on the the lesser travelled<br />
Eastern or Asian side then we have just the place for you - the<br />
Marmara Suadiye Residence.<br />
This aparthotel is perfectly situated in the cosmopolitan<br />
district of Kadikoy. The property is easy to reach, it’s<br />
only a few minutes from the ferry port and the<br />
Suadiye railway station, should you have the<br />
need to get around. The area is home to some<br />
popular cafes, boutiques, shopping centres,<br />
restaurants, bars and even an amusement<br />
park, the Bostanci Lunapark.<br />
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The Marmara Suadiye Residence can<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modate short and long stays. The<br />
apartments are modern, roomy and finished<br />
with light colours. Comfort and convenience<br />
are clearly important. You can expect<br />
stunning sea views or a look down at lively<br />
Badgat Boulevard.<br />
The residence has 1, 2 and 3-bedroom fully<br />
furnished apartments on offer. With only 32<br />
apartments within the <strong>com</strong>plex you can be<br />
guaranteed of a relaxed private experience.<br />
Each apartment includes a living area,<br />
a well-resourced kitchen, either one or<br />
two bathrooms, a dressing room, ironing<br />
equipment, satellite TV, free wi-fi, phone<br />
line, air conditioning, safety deposit box, a<br />
washing machine, hair dryer and dishwasher.<br />
All in all, the Marmara Suadiye Residence will<br />
be your home away from home.<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Bağdat Caddesi (Bağdat<br />
Boulevard), No:435, Suadiye,<br />
34740, İstanbul, Turkey<br />
Tel +90 216 362 10 10<br />
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Greece<br />
<br />
68
Santorini, Greece<br />
69
The Greek Islands<br />
Waiting to be explored<br />
Greece is one of the worlds ultimate Island getaway destinations, the<br />
country is home to an estimated 6000 islands of which 227 are inhabited.<br />
All the islands are in the gorgeous Mediterranean and Ionian Seas meaning<br />
sunny weather for large parts of the year. Most islands have a rich history<br />
dating back to ancient Greece, are home to friendly locals, have an excellent<br />
culinary scene, and offer up a whole host of things to do.<br />
Considering this, it’s no surprise that Greek island holidays are some of the<br />
most popular in <strong>Europe</strong>. Islands like Santorini, Corfu and Crete hold stellar<br />
global reputations as premier holiday destinations. Santorini’s white houses<br />
and blue domed churches are iconic, the island is home to several luxury<br />
boutique hotels and has a surprisingly ac<strong>com</strong>plished wine industry. Corfu is<br />
famed for its beautiful sandy beaches, nightlife, and historically significant<br />
attractions. Crete is the largest Greek Island and simply has it all, you can<br />
find beautiful beaches, snow-capped mountains, luxury resorts, affordable<br />
apartments, several heritage landmarks, diverse architecture, good food,<br />
amazing nightlife, plenty of leisure activities, traditional villages, and is easily<br />
accessible all year round.<br />
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Several other islands like<br />
Mykonos, Zakynthos, Rhodes,<br />
and Nixos, are also extremely<br />
popular and receive their fair<br />
share of tourists. But what if you<br />
wanted to visit a less touristy<br />
Island? Or maybe you’ve visited<br />
some of the Islands mentioned<br />
above and you want something<br />
different, where could you go?<br />
To answer these questions,<br />
we’ve searched long and hard<br />
to select three lesser visited<br />
islands that are considered<br />
hidden gems. Although with<br />
increasing visitor numbers pre-<br />
Covid some of these won’t stay<br />
under the radar for long. Our<br />
three gems are Ikaria, Kythnos<br />
and Milos, profiled throughout<br />
the rest of this chapter.<br />
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Ikaria<br />
The Quirky Island<br />
Ikaria is named after Icarus for it’s said that he fell in the sea nearby<br />
when the wax from his wings melted. Unique history has followed<br />
the island ever since, during the civil war it was a place of exile for leftwingers<br />
and today it’s known as one of the blue zones where people<br />
reach an extremely old age in relatively good health. The locals take pride<br />
in their distinctive history and tourism to the island is built on the notion<br />
of “Ikarian balance” between nature, freedom, time and development.<br />
Getting in and Getting Around<br />
Ikaria can be reached all year round via plane. There are regular flights<br />
from Athens and Crete. The island can be reached via ferry from the<br />
island of Samos which in turn can be reach via ferry from Piraeus in<br />
Athens.<br />
To fully explore the island a car is necessary this can be though a local<br />
rental <strong>com</strong>pany, or you can bring your own via the ferry. There is a bus<br />
services but is deemed inefficient. Hitchhiking is another possibility.<br />
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Things to do<br />
Ikaria is a great place for<br />
adventure, there are several<br />
great cycling and hiking<br />
spots on the island as well<br />
as waterfall tours, jeep safari<br />
and watersports like diving,<br />
kayaking, snorkelling, and<br />
surfing. Ikaria is a one of<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>’s top dark sky spots<br />
so stargazing with overnight<br />
camping is a must.<br />
Keeping in line with the<br />
islands quirks why not bathe<br />
in radioactive hot springs?<br />
It has been said this maybe<br />
a contributing factor to the<br />
islanders’ long lives.<br />
Like with a lot of Greek islands<br />
the beaches on Ikaria are not<br />
to be missed, Faros beach is<br />
popular and lined with bars,<br />
cafes and tavernas.<br />
Food<br />
Proper Greek Tavernas are scattered all over Ikaria.<br />
A Taverna is the place to try local food and drink.<br />
Annes Fish Taverna in Nas is one of the best, food<br />
is sourced from local farms, the seafood is fresh<br />
and the wine homemade.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
Located on the north coast of Ikaria, the Cavos<br />
Bay Hotel & Studios is the best place to stay for<br />
beautiful views, elegant interiors, friendly service,<br />
and all-round brilliant experience. https://<strong>www</strong>.<br />
cavosbay.<strong>com</strong>.gr/<br />
73
Kythnos<br />
The Local<br />
Getaway<br />
74<br />
To the outside world Kythnos is relatively<br />
unknown but to the Greeks it makes for a<br />
great Island getaway. Its proximity to Athens<br />
means the tends to attract mainly Greek visitors<br />
local for a quick break. Kythnos is naturally<br />
beautiful, home to some elegant architecture,<br />
and wel<strong>com</strong>ing locals.<br />
Getting in and Getting Around<br />
There is no airport on Kythnos so the only way in<br />
is via ferry from Piraeus or Lavrion (southwest<br />
of Athens), the journey takes less than three<br />
hours.<br />
The easiest way to get around Kythnos is by<br />
renting a car however the buses can take you<br />
to all the main places.
Food<br />
If you love small and wel<strong>com</strong>ing<br />
restaurants with a family feel, then<br />
you’re in luck because in Kythnos<br />
you’ll find plenty. Panochori Café in<br />
Chora has a warm atmosphere and<br />
is a great place for all day coffee and<br />
nibbles. For Mediterranean cuisine<br />
check out Chartino Karavi, set under<br />
an old Bougainville tree on a beautiful,<br />
whitewashed street, where the owners<br />
always greet guests as their friends.<br />
For a classic Greek meze, be sure to<br />
pay visit to Cavo D’oro in Loutra.<br />
Things to do<br />
Tourism on the island isn’t overly developed making it ideal for an authentic and<br />
peaceful getaway. Kythnos has numerous beaches, we re<strong>com</strong>mend Kolona<br />
beach which connects Kythnos to the islet of Agios Loukas.<br />
Kythnos boasts the only thermal springs in the Cyclades, these are in the small<br />
village of Loutra and are certainly worth a visit.<br />
For cultural attractions you should check out the beautiful Church of Panagia<br />
Kanala, the quaint Church of Agios Ioannis, the Byzantine Museum, and<br />
Folklore Museum.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
Canal Suites, a <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong><br />
award winner, is the place to stay for<br />
tranquility and panoramic sea views.<br />
Turn over to the next page to find out<br />
more.<br />
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Canal Suites Kythnos<br />
Greece | Stylish Hotel<br />
Perfectly situated on the magical island of Kythnos, the stylish<br />
Canal Suites is Cycladic luxury personified. The property<br />
boasts panoramic sea views, superior rooms and suites, luxury<br />
amenities, an outdoor pool, a high-quality Cycladic aesthetic,<br />
an adults only policy and best of all it’s newly opened.<br />
Designed in collaboration with distinguished Greek<br />
interior designer Martik Manikian, the property<br />
boasts his exquisite and unique artistic taste such<br />
as the seamless matching of stone with wood,<br />
smart details of white and strong presence of<br />
rope as a decorative element. All of which<br />
beautifully <strong>com</strong>pliment the deep blue<br />
sea and the Greek island landscape.<br />
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Canal suites is home to nine chic rooms that create a<br />
pleasant and soothing ambience. Of the nine rooms there<br />
are two options to choose from. On the ground floor you<br />
can expect to find four quaint deluxe double rooms while<br />
the first floor houses five slightly larger superior suites.<br />
All rooms include gorgeous sea views, luxury “Apivita”<br />
toiletries, flat screen TV’s, fine bedding, free WIFI, a private<br />
terrace (only in the deluxe double rooms) and a private<br />
balcony (only in the superior suites). The terraces and<br />
balconies provide the ideal setting for breakfast which<br />
is served a la carte in room using only the best locally<br />
sourced produce and ingredients.<br />
To get the most out of your stay on the mountainous island<br />
of Kythnos the Canal Suites team are on hand 24/7 ready<br />
to organise a whole host of activities and experiences.<br />
Yoga, meditation, massage, stand up paddle boarding,<br />
diving, hiking, tours, ticketing for events and car rental<br />
can all be arranged.<br />
Kanala 84006 Kythnos<br />
Cyclades, Greece<br />
Tel +30 21 5215 9919<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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Milos<br />
Natural Beauty<br />
A<br />
volcanic island that was once home of the Venus<br />
de Milo statue, Milos is photogenic, home to several<br />
beautiful beaches, a diverse coastline, and picturesque<br />
villages.<br />
Getting in and Getting Around<br />
There two ways onto Milos, first by plane, there are a couple<br />
of flights a day from Athens airport. This is the most efficient<br />
way, and the journey takes less than an hour. The second<br />
way onto the island is via ferry usually departing from<br />
Piraeus on the mainland to Adamas on Milos. The journey<br />
can take between 3-7 hours depending on operator and<br />
stops along the way.<br />
The easiest way to get around the smaller towns is on foot<br />
between towns you can use the bus, rent a car, or hire<br />
a taxi.<br />
78
Things to do<br />
When it <strong>com</strong>es to beaches you’re<br />
spoilt for choice on Milos, given<br />
the relatively toned-down tourist<br />
numbers you can expect clean,<br />
open, and quiet beaches, perfect<br />
for relaxation or to partake in<br />
watersports such as windsurfing,<br />
stand up paddle boarding,<br />
kayaking, and snorkelling. The<br />
most famous of the beaches is<br />
Sarakiniko known for its moonlike<br />
white rocks, swimming hole, and<br />
clear blue waters.<br />
Plaka is an idyllic traditional<br />
village, perched on outcrop<br />
above Adamantas. The village<br />
is perfect for a leisurely stroll,<br />
historical attractions, and<br />
the opportunity to hone your<br />
photography skills. Nearby you<br />
have a Venetian castle and the<br />
Church of Panagia Skiniotissa.<br />
Both are fun to explore and offer<br />
stunning sunset views.<br />
Food<br />
Seafood is a must and<br />
is always served fresh,<br />
we re<strong>com</strong>mend Gialos<br />
restaurant in Polonia.<br />
Milos island delicacies<br />
include Pitarakia (a cheese<br />
pie) and Karpouzopita<br />
(watermelon cake), for<br />
these we re<strong>com</strong>mend<br />
Enalion Restaurant also<br />
in Polonia.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
For beautiful sea views,<br />
luxury, and local flavours<br />
there is nowhere better on<br />
the island than <strong>Travel</strong> and<br />
<strong>Hospitality</strong> Award winner<br />
Artemis Deluxe Rooms,<br />
profiled in full on the next<br />
page.<br />
79
Artemis Deluxe Rooms<br />
Greece | Elegant Hotel<br />
A<br />
Unique Hotel – A Wonderful Holiday<br />
Stunning architecture, Cycladic interiors, modern amenities and<br />
warm Greek hospitality await you at the newly renovated Artemis Deluxe<br />
Rooms located on the quaint island of Milos. This amazing beach front<br />
property perfectly encapsulates what many of us expect from a<br />
luxurious Greek island hideaway. The minimalist aesthetic, sunlit<br />
spaces, sea view balconies, pool with a bar, attentive staff,<br />
and excellent local cuisine, <strong>com</strong>bined perfectly for a hugely<br />
enjoyable stay.<br />
There are several deluxe rooms to choose from, all bright,<br />
spacious, and designed with the signature Artemis<br />
touch. As standard all rooms <strong>com</strong>e with a private<br />
balcony or veranda offering a spectacular view<br />
across the breath-taking blue of the Aegean<br />
Sea. You can also expect a flat screen TV,<br />
luxurious toiletries, air-conditioning, free<br />
WIFi, a fridge, microwave and to match<br />
high-quality kitchen equipment.<br />
80
At Artemis you can expect a wonderful holiday<br />
experience. To go along with the perfect beach front<br />
location and deluxe rooms you can expect a plethora<br />
of facilities and services. This includes a 24 hour front<br />
desk, outdoor furniture, beach sun beds, free parking,<br />
summer beach bar, a delicious daily breakfast and a pool<br />
bar, famed locally for it’s exciting cocktails. On our poolside<br />
restaurant, we have a fine menu with delicious<br />
dishes (modern Greek cuisine) and an exceptional<br />
wine-list.<br />
No trip to Milos is <strong>com</strong>plete without an opportunity to<br />
explore and experience the islands. The team at Artemis<br />
are on hand to ensure you get the most out of your<br />
stay. Trekking, diving, water sports, sightseeing tours,<br />
restaurant trips and spa treatments can all be arranged.<br />
So the next time you’re in search of a luxurious trip to<br />
Greece look no further that the unique and delightful<br />
Artemis Deluxe Rooms on the gorgeous Island of Milos.<br />
Paliochori, Cyclades,<br />
848 00, Greece<br />
Tel +30 21 5215 4780<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
81
82<br />
Alternative<br />
Greece<br />
Epirus<br />
Greece is a well-established travel destination<br />
and is consistently one of the most visited<br />
countries in the world. The primary focus of<br />
tourism is on Greece’s major cities and beautiful<br />
islands, however the mountainous interior of<br />
Greece, especially within the region of Epirus<br />
receives little to no attention.<br />
While Epirus does rake in its fair share of tourists<br />
through it beautiful beaches, that are developed<br />
for tourism, the more central and western area<br />
has remained untouched. It’s in these areas<br />
where Epirus truly shines, here you’ll find unique<br />
monasteries, castles, sleepy villages, beautiful<br />
mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and even thermal<br />
baths.
Key to getting around is having your own transportation or<br />
at very least joining up with a tour <strong>com</strong>pany. Given the lack<br />
of development getting around on bus isn’t feasible. The<br />
best place to base yourself in the region is the wonderful<br />
town of Ioannina, the town, set upon a cliff overlooking a<br />
hill, is relatively easy to reach via bus, and small enough to<br />
travel within on foot. The town is the capital of the Epirus<br />
region and was once the seat of an independent state<br />
that rebelled against Ottoman rule. Much of that Ottoman<br />
history is on display with several buildings and a mosque<br />
still standing.<br />
In terms of places to visit we re<strong>com</strong>mend spending a<br />
couple of days in the Pindos mountains, where stunning<br />
landscapes, amazing hiking trails, and traditional guest<br />
houses await. Another location to visit to take in the natural<br />
beauty is the Tzoumerka National Park, a rustic mountainous<br />
area home to several waterfalls, old stone bridges, romantic<br />
villages, wildlife, and numerous rare species of plants.<br />
A visit to this area of Greece offers a chance to not only<br />
experience a side of the country that very few do but do so<br />
before any sort of extensive tourism structure is developed.<br />
83
Bulgaria<br />
<br />
84
Ribaritsa, Bulgaria<br />
85
Varna<br />
The Summer Capital<br />
of Bulgaria<br />
86<br />
Varna is Bulgaria’s third biggest city and <strong>com</strong>monly referred to as the<br />
summer capital. It’s the most exciting city on the Black Sea coast and<br />
growing in popularity. The city offers a nice blend of history and modernity,<br />
you’ll find several heritage attractions, museums, fancy restaurants,<br />
contemporary resorts, a sandy beach, and much to do.<br />
Getting in & Getting Around<br />
Varna Airport is small but well connected to the rest of <strong>Europe</strong>, although<br />
this is seasonal. The city can be reached from most major destination in<br />
<strong>Europe</strong> and to help there is a free shuttle into the city centre from the<br />
airport. There are daily trains to Varna from Sofia, Plovdiv in Bulgaria, and<br />
Kiev in Ukraine. Ferry is another option, there are two service ones from<br />
Odessa in Ukraine and the other Batumi in Georgia.<br />
Varna is easy enough to navigate on foot, on a bicycle or via the public<br />
transport system, the are bus and trolley services available.
Food<br />
Foodwise you’ll find a whole host<br />
of restaurants in the city such as<br />
Italian, Sushi, Pizza, Kebabs, Meat<br />
Grills, and of course traditional<br />
Bulgarian eateries. Seafood is<br />
a must and local dishes worth<br />
trying are deep fried sprats,<br />
Black Sea fish, and Rapa Whelks<br />
(Sea Snails).<br />
Things To Do<br />
Varna is a full to the brim with things to do. Being a<br />
seasonal seaside destination means watersports are<br />
popular, kayaking, windsurfing, traditional surfing,<br />
diving, and sailing are all on the menu. Other activities<br />
you can do are hiking, cycling, jeep touring, and<br />
bungee jumping.<br />
In terms of historical and cultural attractions we<br />
implore you to visit the Varna Archaeological Museum,<br />
the Sea Garden (which is also home to Varna Zoo), the<br />
Assumption of Mary Cathedral, and the Monument of<br />
Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
When it <strong>com</strong>es to hotels there is<br />
only one place for us, the Graffit<br />
Gallery Hotel. The property<br />
effortlessly <strong>com</strong>bines art and<br />
hospitality to enhance your stay.<br />
Turn over to the next page to<br />
see an in-depth profile.<br />
Find out more<br />
https://visit.varna.bg/en/index.<br />
html<br />
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Graffit Gallery Hotel<br />
Bulgaria | Boutique Hotel<br />
On your next visit to Bulgaria you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better<br />
than the spectacular Graffit Gallery Hotel. This modern and stylish urban<br />
hotel is expertly designed so that the aesthetic nuances, the ambience<br />
and use of new technologies <strong>com</strong>bine to create extreme <strong>com</strong>fort and<br />
harmony. Perfectly located in the heart of Varna, the hotel is easy to<br />
reach and ideally placed to explore the city and its attractions.<br />
The hotel boasts 49 elegantly decorated guest rooms and 6<br />
luxurious suites, spread out across four floors with rooms<br />
on each floor having their own individual design style. You<br />
have the Chester floor, where the rooms utilise the design<br />
excellence of an elegant Chesterfield sofa <strong>com</strong>plemented<br />
with wood and steel accessories. Then the Caracci<br />
floor, as you’d expect an eclectic design inspired<br />
by the three Caraccis of Italy; Baroque furniture,<br />
surreal elements with bright red and turquoise<br />
blue reign supreme.<br />
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Third you have “The other floor” that pays homage to the<br />
sophisticated English check pattern and the minimalist<br />
notion of black and white. Finally, the Four Elements<br />
floor where earth, air, water, and light are expertly<br />
applied to interior design culminating in a special room<br />
embraced by nature.<br />
If the thrill of the four unique floors isn’t enough then<br />
worry not as the hotel boasts an on-site café and a la<br />
carte restaurant, one of the finest in Varna, named the<br />
Red Canape. There is state-of-the-art modern gym<br />
available to all guests along with a stunning rooftop<br />
pool.<br />
As the name suggest there is an art gallery in the<br />
property that is Varnas contemporary cultural centre<br />
for a modern audience. Built on the foundations of the<br />
centre for contemporary art, the gallery is the perfect<br />
place to enjoy a variety of paintings, prints, sculptures,<br />
photography, and memorabilia.<br />
65 Knyaz Boris I Blvd,<br />
9002 Varna, Bulgaria<br />
Tel +359 52 989 900<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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Italy<br />
<br />
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Venice, Italy<br />
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Rome Or Venice?<br />
Which City is<br />
Better to Visit<br />
Rome or Venice? This is a <strong>com</strong>mon dilemma for many<br />
travellers planning to visit Italy, although the two cities<br />
aren’t too far apart for a lot of people with limited time and<br />
resources the two aren’t feasible during a single trip.<br />
Rome is the capital of Italy, an iconic ancient city that is<br />
one of the most visited in <strong>Europe</strong>, so you won’t be mistaken<br />
for thinking this is the obvious choice. Venice itself packs a<br />
punch, the canals are renowned the world over and the city<br />
has a unique elegance to it. Choosing between the two isn’t<br />
easy but we’ve put together a little guide that may help you<br />
decide.<br />
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Getting in and Getting Around<br />
Both cities are accessible through their<br />
respective international airports in Rome<br />
you have two whereas in Venice there is<br />
only one. The cities can be reached via<br />
train, although Rome has more arrivals<br />
getting into either shouldn’t be an issue.<br />
Getting around on the other hand is<br />
much simpler in Venice, for the most<br />
part it’s small and a pedestrianised city<br />
with water taxis as the only option for<br />
moving around on the canals. These<br />
can be expensive but make it easy to<br />
get around. Rome on the other hand is a<br />
huge sprawling city and as such moving<br />
around especially with taxi can be issue,<br />
the traffic is horrendous and driving<br />
conditions aren’t ideal. You do have<br />
the subway and bus options which are<br />
efficient but can get very crowded.<br />
While getting into each city is easy<br />
enough for getting around Venice <strong>com</strong>es<br />
out on top. It’s easier and much less<br />
stressful to navigate.<br />
Winner | Venice<br />
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Attractions<br />
Rome is over 2000 years old, for centuries<br />
it was the cultural capital of the Roman<br />
empire and one of the wealthiest cities in<br />
the world. It should <strong>com</strong>e as no surprise<br />
that when it <strong>com</strong>es to attractions,<br />
particularly historical & cultural sites,<br />
Rome is the smart choice. It’s home<br />
to the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the<br />
Roman Forum, the Vatican City, the Trevi<br />
Fountain and so much more.<br />
Venice does have its fair share of<br />
attractions such as Doge’s Palace,<br />
Saint Mark’s Basilica and Railto Bridge.<br />
The city’s canal network itself is a huge<br />
draw, making Venice ideal for an exciting<br />
exploration of its side streets and hidden<br />
gems.<br />
Overall if taking in the sites and seeing<br />
as many attractions as possible is the<br />
purpose of your trip then Rome is the<br />
clear winner.<br />
Winner | Rome<br />
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Cost Effectiveness<br />
Both Venice and Rome<br />
can be costly cities. Venice<br />
is considered a more<br />
expensive city by Italian<br />
standards and is infamous<br />
for hidden bill charges at<br />
restaurants. Venice also<br />
<strong>com</strong>es with the added caveat<br />
of fines for acts deemed<br />
“inappropriate”. Rome on the<br />
other hand while expensive<br />
in some parts it does have<br />
a lot of budget options in<br />
terms of food, shopping,<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modation, and free<br />
things to do.<br />
Rome is the most costeffective<br />
option, and you’ll<br />
find your money goes a lot<br />
further there.<br />
Winner | Rome<br />
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Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
Rome has a wide variety of hotel<br />
options; you can stay in anything<br />
from a bed in a hostel right through<br />
to a luxury suite at some of the<br />
finest hotels in the world. However,<br />
a lot of hotels in Rome suffer from<br />
maintenance and upkeep <strong>com</strong>plaints.<br />
As it’s a year-round visited city a lot of<br />
hotels tend to fall behind on upkeep.<br />
With Venice options are maybe a<br />
little bit more limited given its size<br />
<strong>com</strong>pared to Rome. They are more<br />
expensive but are much better run<br />
than in Rome and more intimate.<br />
Both cities fare well when it <strong>com</strong>es<br />
to ac<strong>com</strong>modation however our<br />
favourite from the two would have to<br />
be San Clemente Palace Kempinski<br />
in Venice located on its own island,<br />
operated as a <strong>com</strong>plete luxury resort<br />
with a shuttle to St. Mark’s Square.<br />
Winner | Tie<br />
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Food<br />
Italian cuisine is immensely admired all over the world<br />
and many visitors want to sample popular dishes such<br />
as pizza and pasta. Ofcourse Rome has its own Roman<br />
pizza which is delicious and pasta dishes in both cities<br />
are exquisite, providing you seek out well reviewed and<br />
busy restaurants. While cuisine in Rome tends to cater<br />
to classic Italian dishes in Venice you can find a distinct<br />
local flavour. Specialties in Venice include fish, rice, and<br />
polenta.<br />
So, if you’re food lover and want the most variety then<br />
Venice is the ideal destination. Here you’ll find classic<br />
Italian staples as well as unique local dishes.<br />
Winner | Venice<br />
Shopping<br />
Italy’s is one of the worlds premier fashion destinations<br />
so shopping in the country is a must. Rome stands out<br />
as the clear favourite here; the city centre is full of wellknown<br />
brand outlets and small design boutiques. Via<br />
dei Condotti is perfect for anyone interested in styles<br />
straight from the runway.<br />
Venice does have its own small shopping boutiques that<br />
are just prestigious as those found in Rome. However,<br />
these are few and far between. A popular item for many<br />
in Venice is shopping for Carnival masks.<br />
Winner | Rome<br />
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The Perfect Weekend in<br />
the Tuscan Countryside<br />
Weekend getaways are a perfect mini holiday. You basically<br />
get the chance to do everything you would do on a<br />
bigger and longer break. You can use the time to explore a new<br />
area, educate yourself, indulge in a hobby, maybe try some new<br />
activities, or just lounge by the pool. Either way this sort of break<br />
is perfect for recharging your batteries and getting away from the<br />
hustle & bustle of everyday life.<br />
Tuscany in Italy is in our opinion one of the absolute ideal<br />
weekend getaway locations in the world. There is a lot to do in<br />
the region, weather is good throughout the year, the culinary<br />
scene is exciting, the history is long & varied, you have excellent<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modation on offer, and most important of all it’s easily<br />
accessible through land, sea, and air. So without further ado, here<br />
is our guide to a weekend getaway in the Tuscan countryside.<br />
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First step is finding somewhere to stay for your long weekend. We have the perfect place<br />
the ARLI Hotel Hideaway Punta Ala an adult only retreat nestled in the beautiful province of<br />
Grosseto. This property is a multi-award winning and highly rated boutique hotel perfect for a<br />
long weekend. The location means its easily accessible from Rome, Florence, and Pisa, it’s ideal<br />
for exploring the Tuscan countryside, coastline, and typically authentic Italian villages. The<br />
customer service is first class and there are enough on-site facilities to keep you entertained<br />
should you decide for a relaxing day in. You can find out more on page 104.<br />
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100<br />
Now that we’ve settled on a hotel its time to<br />
plan what you’ll do on your weekend getaway.<br />
Most people visit the Tuscan countryside for<br />
its spectacular national parks. We re<strong>com</strong>mend<br />
the Maremma Regional Park, a huge park<br />
that offers many types of landscapes for<br />
visitors to explore. It stretches to the coast<br />
so you can spend a few hours at the beach,<br />
visit the idyllic hills of Uccellina, discover<br />
vast lush forests, or maybe check out some<br />
farmhouses for authentic produce. Popular<br />
activities include horseback riding, hiking,<br />
canoeing, birdwatching, and even bathing in<br />
the thermal springs. Another fantastic option<br />
is the Montioni Interprovincial Park, this offers<br />
more in the way of history, the area is rich in<br />
remains from pre-historic settlements, the<br />
Etruscan civilisation, the Roman empire, and<br />
medieval Italy. The Park is covered in dense<br />
native forestation and is teeming wildlife. We<br />
also re<strong>com</strong>mend checking out the National<br />
Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, the Livorno<br />
Hills Park, and the Park of Migliarino. The<br />
parks are a great way to spend a half or full<br />
day of your weekend getaway and provide the<br />
perfect balance between seeing the natural<br />
beauty of Tuscany and relaxing.
Wine tasting is another weekend getaway activity, ideal for a sunny afternoon. Tuscan wine is famous and known for<br />
being a dry, Sangiovese-based red wine. Nearby the ARLI Hotel Hideaway Punta Ala you can visit the home of Maremma<br />
Toscana Wine and Montecucco Wine both rated DOC, which is the second highest tier, meaning you know you are getting<br />
good quality traditional wine. If you’re willing to travel a little further you can try Suvereto Wine which is DOCG rated, the<br />
highest rating that can be attained. However, if you don’t want to travel you can find a good local selection at any decent<br />
restaurant or bar.<br />
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No weekend getaway is <strong>com</strong>plete without<br />
a spot of pampering and in Tuscany there<br />
are several superb options. The ARLi<br />
Hotel Hideaway are more than happy to<br />
take care of your beauty and wellness<br />
needs, they even offer an early bird<br />
discount so you can plan it all in advance.<br />
An Additional choice is the thermal hot<br />
springs in the town of Saturnia, the pools<br />
are run as a <strong>com</strong>plete spa with a whole<br />
host of innovative treatments on offer.<br />
Getting around Tuscany for your weekend<br />
break can be a little tricky, although the<br />
public transport system is decent it<br />
won’t allow you to access all those rural<br />
gems, especially if you’ve limited time in<br />
the area. It’s best you rent a car or even<br />
better a driver who knows all the best<br />
spots. There is no one better for this<br />
than Tuscany Sweet Dreams, specialist<br />
operator on travelling in Tuscany that<br />
offer a limousine transfer service and<br />
classic car rentals, the best of both. Find<br />
out more on page 106.<br />
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After all this sightseeing and adventure,<br />
you’ll build up an appetite, and as you’re<br />
only in Tuscany for a couple of nights it’s<br />
important that you get your meals right.<br />
During short trips, the dining experience<br />
and be make or break as a lot of people<br />
use this as a reason to take a time off from<br />
their diet or fit in a couple of cheat days.<br />
For some people trying out the cuisine<br />
may well be the main reason of the<br />
visit. The team at ARLI Hotel Hideaway<br />
will ensure you start the day with a<br />
delicious breakfast. For lunch why not<br />
head on down to the coast to try some<br />
fresh seafood? Coastal towns such as<br />
Piombino, Cecina, and Livorno are home<br />
to excellent sea food restaurants. For the<br />
evening there are whole host of options<br />
a few of our favourites are the La terra<br />
di nello in Castiglione Della Pescaia, Da<br />
Caino in Manciano, and Castello Banfi La<br />
Taverna in Poggio alle Mura.<br />
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Arli Hotel<br />
Italy | The Award for Excellence in Service<br />
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No trip to Italy is <strong>com</strong>plete without a visit to Tuscany but not trip to Tuscany is<br />
<strong>com</strong>plete with out a stay at the superb Arli Hotel Hideaway in Punta Ala. This<br />
amazing 4-star boutique hotel is famed for its excellent location, adult’s only concept,<br />
elegant design, plethora of activities and most of all outstanding guest service.<br />
Guest rooms are varied in design and style however retain an elegance and<br />
charm that is visible throughout the property. Option include a single room,<br />
double with garden view and a double with terrace. Our favourite is the<br />
master suite, a tastefully decorated spacious room that sleeps four. All<br />
rooms <strong>com</strong>e with a fully furnished patio or balcony, luxury amenities,<br />
Frigobar, free WIFI, flat screen TV, air conditioning, and tea & coffee<br />
makers.<br />
On-site facilities and services include a year-round swimming<br />
pool, relaxing hot tub, well equipped gym, sauna, cocktail bar<br />
and beautiful gardens fully furnished with table, chairs and<br />
deck chairs. A treat for all guests is the <strong>com</strong>plimentary<br />
breakfast buffer, consisting of a wide selection made<br />
with only the best local produce and ingredients.<br />
We don’t have rooms with kitchenette.<br />
but we have two portion of villas, with<br />
all amenities and residence service.
The outstanding location allows for<br />
guest to indulge in several activities.<br />
Golf club Punta Ala is only one<br />
kilometre away. Beach lovers are<br />
in for a treat, the nearest beach is<br />
a couple of miles away and is the<br />
perfect place for a spot of sailing<br />
or water sports. Cycling, hiking and<br />
walking tours can all be arranged at<br />
the property as well as any wellness<br />
activities such as massages and<br />
yoga classes.<br />
The next you’re looking for a perfect<br />
Italian getaway then look no further<br />
we have the answer, the Arli Hotel in<br />
Punta Ala!!<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Via del Pozzino 2,<br />
58043, Punta Ala<br />
Tel +39 0564 923184<br />
Mob +39 3926852530<br />
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Tuscany Sweet Dreams<br />
Italy | Rental Company<br />
Tuscany Sweet Dreams is owned and operated by two locals with a passion for<br />
cars, a love for their country and a belief in providing a superior experience.<br />
This approach has led to the <strong>com</strong>pany going on to be considered one of the<br />
absolute best in all of Tuscany despite only being open since 2019.<br />
Services <strong>com</strong>e in three forms the first is an exceptional limo chauffeur<br />
service, the second a unique classic car rental and the third is a<br />
coach and minibus rental for larger groups.<br />
Limo Service<br />
For the limo service you can expect maximum <strong>com</strong>fort<br />
<strong>com</strong>bined with excellent service, and a luxurious<br />
experience. Whether it be a holiday transfer or business<br />
trip you can rest easy knowing you’re in the hands<br />
of knowledgeable professionals who are happy<br />
to customise the trips to suit your needs. Car<br />
options on offer are the Mercedes E-Class,<br />
S-Class, V-Class and Sprinter.<br />
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Classic Car Rental<br />
A Tuscan road trip in an iconic<br />
car is a bucket list item and with<br />
Tuscany Sweet Dreams you have<br />
a fantastic opportunity to do this.<br />
Popular options on offer are the Fiat<br />
Bianchina and Alfa Romeo Spider<br />
however the <strong>com</strong>pany’s private<br />
collections include several cars, so<br />
we re<strong>com</strong>mend getting in touch to<br />
find out more.<br />
Tuscan Italy<br />
Tel +39 329-2779001<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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Germany<br />
<br />
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Hamburg, Germany<br />
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8 Must See<br />
Attraction<br />
in Berlin<br />
Berlin is a capital city brimming with attractions. The city is one<br />
of the cultural capitals of <strong>Europe</strong>, it has a long and interesting<br />
history, Berliners are a proud and wel<strong>com</strong>ing people, and it’s<br />
Germany’s media, political and scientific centre. Berlin can boast over<br />
100 attractions, and almost every street carries its own unique feel.<br />
Picking out must see attractions for this piece was no easy feat but<br />
we’ve managed to select eight that will leave any visitor satisfied.<br />
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of <strong>Europe</strong><br />
A place to reflect and ponder the horrendous events of the holocaust.<br />
The space was designed to make visitors feel uneasy, anxious, and<br />
confused. A symbolic attempt to capture the horrors of Nazi death<br />
camps.<br />
Entry is free and there is a centre on site for those looking for further<br />
information.<br />
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Checkpoint Charlie<br />
Checkpoint Charlie was the most<br />
famous crossing point between the<br />
West and East of Berlin back when<br />
the Berlin Wall was still standing.<br />
The point has been re-enacted<br />
to show how it once stood and is<br />
today a touristy centre for Berlin,<br />
here you’ll find souvenir stalls,<br />
tourist buses and actors dressed<br />
as US & Soviet Guards.<br />
The Reichstag Building<br />
The home of German parliament, the Reichstag building has had somewhat<br />
of a difficult history. Built in 1894 it served as the headquarters of imperial<br />
Germany until it was burned down in 1933 after which it sat in in the militarised<br />
zone between East and West. It was only when Germany was reunified in 1989<br />
did it be<strong>com</strong>e useful and after 10 years of renovation it finally became the<br />
centre of German parliament like it is now.<br />
The building is architecturally magnificent and houses an impressive glass<br />
dome at the top that offers great views of the city. It’s best to pre-book if<br />
you’re planning a visit.<br />
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Brandenburg Gate<br />
Probably Berlins most famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate is iconic and<br />
today symbolically captures the unity and peace of a once divided nation. Built<br />
in 1791 the gate stands at 26 metres tall and provided the backdrop for much<br />
of the euphoria when the Berlin wall finally came down in 1989.<br />
At the top of the gate lies the statue of Quadriga depicting the goddess of<br />
victory driving a chariot pulled by four horses. For a short period, the statue<br />
was in hands of Napolean in Paris until the city was captured by Prussian<br />
solders who returned it to Berlin.<br />
Berlin Zoological Gardens<br />
The oldest zoo in Germany<br />
that remains a popular tourist<br />
attraction. It was rebuilt after the<br />
second world war and has since<br />
been famed for its successful<br />
breeding programs as well as<br />
authentic environments. Visitors<br />
can expect Arctic Wolves, Zebras,<br />
Pandas, Giraffes and so much<br />
more, over 20,000 species in fact.<br />
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Berlin Television Tower<br />
The Berlin Television<br />
Tower is one of the<br />
tallest building in <strong>Europe</strong><br />
and attracts millions<br />
of visitors a year, no<br />
doubt interested in the<br />
spectacular views of<br />
Berlin that are awaiting<br />
at the top. Many would<br />
be surprised to hear<br />
the tower was originally<br />
constructed to mark the<br />
prowess of <strong>com</strong>munism,<br />
it’s located in former East<br />
Berlin, however today<br />
the tower is one of many<br />
symbols of reunification<br />
and peace.<br />
Along with a viewing deck<br />
there is also a revolving<br />
restaurant at the top that<br />
is certainly worth a visit in<br />
the evening.<br />
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Charlottenburg Palace<br />
The Charlottenburg Palace is a magnificent attraction<br />
perfectly nestled amongst the idyllic palace gardens and<br />
the majestic river Spree. The Palace was for a long time<br />
the primary residence of German royalty. It was severely<br />
damaged during the second world war but has since been<br />
restored to its former glory. Lovers of design can expect<br />
lavish Baroque and Rococo décor throughout its interior,<br />
a wonderful 50-metre-high central dome, and verdant<br />
gardens inspired by those at Versailles.<br />
Museum Island<br />
Museum island is a UNESCO world heritage site and a<br />
treat for any visitor to Berlin. On the island you can expect<br />
the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum<br />
(New Museum), the Bode Museum, the Pergamon<br />
Museum, and the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National<br />
Gallery). It’s best to allow for a couple of days to really<br />
explore each museum, you can expect to see thousands<br />
of artefacts and art pieces, as well as learn about 5000<br />
years of history.<br />
Also located on museum island is the magnificent Berlin<br />
Cathedral, although a separate attraction, this is one you<br />
can include during your visit to Museum island.<br />
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Charlottenburg Palace<br />
Reichstag Building<br />
Museum Island<br />
Brandenburg Gate<br />
Berlin Television Tower<br />
Berlin Zoological Gardens<br />
Memorial to the Murdered<br />
Jews of <strong>Europe</strong><br />
Checkpoint Charlie<br />
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Osnabrück<br />
On the face of it Osnabrück may <strong>com</strong>e across as a typical<br />
German city but scratch the surface and you’ll quickly<br />
realise that it’s a peach of metropolis that effortlessly weaves<br />
between its historical roots and contemporary student culture.<br />
Getting in and Getting Around<br />
Münster Osnabrück International Airport is an option but<br />
tends to be used mainly for summer Mediterranean holiday<br />
destinations and some domestic cities. A better option is to<br />
use the nearby airports of Bremen, Dortmund, Dusseldorf,<br />
and Cologne. The city is a key railway junction between the<br />
Amsterdam-Berlin route and the Hamburg-Cologne route<br />
meaning travelling from any of these cities is simple. Being<br />
in Germany means the city is well connected to the rest of<br />
<strong>Europe</strong> via bus or car.<br />
Because of its <strong>com</strong>pact size Osnabrück is un<strong>com</strong>plicated<br />
to navigate via the efficient public bus system or by cycling.<br />
There are taxi’s available as well several ride hailing apps.<br />
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Things to Do<br />
There is much to do in Osnabrück, you have St Peters<br />
Cathedral, the Osnabrück Castle & its gardens, the<br />
Rathaus, and the museum quarter made up of Felix<br />
Nussbaum House, Kulturgeschichtliches Museum,<br />
Villa Schlikker, and the Arkzishaus all fairly close to<br />
each other.<br />
Alternatively, if you prefer something more modern<br />
why not stop in for a spot of shopping at Lengermann<br />
and Trieschmann, a <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> award<br />
winner profiled on the next page. Here you’ll find an<br />
extensive shopping outlet with a unique indoor surf<br />
school on the bottom floor.<br />
Food<br />
Given its higher-than-normal student population Osnabrück<br />
is a great place to pick up good food at great prices. There<br />
is an array of international restaurants, traditional German<br />
eateries, and local pubs. Rampendahl is a fantastic place<br />
to try out local German dishes and to sample the local beer,<br />
brewed on site.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
For a good night’s sleep, international restaurant, and<br />
stylish bar we implore you to check in to the Vienna House<br />
Remarque, a <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> Award winner.<br />
Find out more<br />
https://<strong>www</strong>.osnabrueck.de/tourismus/<br />
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L&T Hasewelle<br />
Germany | Unique Experience<br />
Adventures await at L&T in Germany<br />
Osnabrück is a quintessential German city. Located in the region of<br />
Osnabrück, the city is bordered by two majestic mountain ranges and<br />
shaped by picturesque rolling green hills.<br />
In the center of the city lies the renowned fashion and sports house,<br />
L&T Lengermann & Trieschmann. With more than 100 years of<br />
history, it has now be<strong>com</strong>e a historical and iconic part of the city<br />
known for its special experience factor.<br />
The focus of the family-run <strong>com</strong>pany is to bring the finest<br />
fashion items and sportswear direct from international<br />
catwalks to Osnabrück. L&T has continually impressed<br />
and excited costumers’ season after season with<br />
offerings of in style clothing for all the family, chic<br />
home accessories, performance sportswear and<br />
so much more spread over three floors in an<br />
exceptional atmosphere.<br />
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After increased calls and customer requests in 2020 L&T expanded<br />
to open a specialized sports house in a brand new and awardwinning<br />
building. For ease of customer access, the new sports<br />
centered building is connected directly to the fashion house leading<br />
to an extension in the space for sports clothing and equipment to<br />
over 5000m².<br />
The central highlight of this building is without a doubt the Hasewelle.<br />
This unique indoor surf wave affords customers an opportunity to<br />
learn to surf, practice or simply have fun like no other. If you would<br />
rather stay dry, then you are more than wel<strong>com</strong>e to simply stand on<br />
the side lines and check out the pros. The sports house is filled with<br />
sneaker outlets, sporty street wear brands, functional sports apparel,<br />
and high-quality equipment for a variety of sports. To add to this the<br />
sports house is also home to the City Gym. The gym is fully kitted<br />
out with high-tech equipment, experienced professionals and a<br />
modern aesthetic, the perfect place hit training goals effectively.<br />
Put simply, put if you want to enjoy the very best in the latest<br />
fashion trends and an extensive range of outstanding sportwear in<br />
a vibrant and colorful location look no further than L&T in the heart<br />
of Osnabrück.<br />
Grosse Strasse 27 - 32, 49074<br />
Osnabrück, Germany<br />
Tel +49 0541 33 11 30<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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Baden-Württemberg Home of<br />
Germany’s Famous Black Forest<br />
Despite the menacing name, the Black Forest is actually one of Germany’s more beautiful areas.<br />
This sprawling forested mountain region is popular for its natural beauty, outdoor activities,<br />
spa towns, history, the black forest dessert, and as the setting for some of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy<br />
tales. Expect expansive hills, stunning lakes, long and winding roads, and rocky mountains, waiting<br />
to be conquered.<br />
The Black Forest region is huge and spreads over 160km from top near the town of Pforzheim to<br />
bottom close to the Swiss border. This makes the region effortlessly reachable from cities such as<br />
Munich & Stuttgart in Germany, Zurich in Switzerland, and Strasbourg in France. Within the region<br />
navigation is fairly straightforward there are several buses and trains moving between many towns<br />
and villages.<br />
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One of the most famous towns in the region<br />
is Baden-Baden, a renowned spa town. The<br />
town is home to 12 hot springs and two thermal<br />
bathhouses both originally built by the Romans.<br />
Offenberg is another <strong>com</strong>monly visited town,<br />
it’s the capital of the wine region of Ortenau.<br />
Freiburg is considered the “jewel of the black<br />
forest”, it’s the major city of the region and is<br />
surrounded by picturesque green hills. Finally,<br />
there is Baiersbronn nestled deep in the forest,<br />
a <strong>com</strong>monly used base for hiking and famed for<br />
having many Michelin starred restaurants.<br />
Outdoor activities are one of the main reasons<br />
to venture into the Black Forest. There are<br />
numerous hiking trails in the area, mountain<br />
biking paths, lakes for kayaking & diving, resorts<br />
for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, hills<br />
for paragliding, and even a medieval mine.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation-wise small guesthouses are<br />
best, these are reasonably priced and well<br />
run. We re<strong>com</strong>mend Haus Aissa, a <strong>Travel</strong> and<br />
<strong>Hospitality</strong> Award winner profiled on the next<br />
page.<br />
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Haus Aissa<br />
Germany | Country Apartments<br />
With an excellent location near the French and Swiss borders Haus Aissa<br />
is the country ac<strong>com</strong>modation to explore Western Germany, Eastern<br />
France, and Northern Switzerland.<br />
The property is a spacious, clean, wel<strong>com</strong>ing, and open ground floor<br />
apartment that can easily ac<strong>com</strong>modate up to six adults. There are<br />
two bedrooms on offer, one with a double bed and the other with<br />
two singles while the living room contains a snug sofa bed.<br />
The apartment features a garden, a terrace, table tennis,<br />
fireplace, <strong>com</strong>plimentary wi-fi, flat screen TV, family<br />
friendly seating, board games, and on-site private<br />
parking. The kitchen is fully equipped, and you have<br />
the option of an outdoor or indoor dining area. The<br />
one bathroom <strong>com</strong>es <strong>com</strong>plete with all the usual<br />
amenities and a shower.<br />
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The town of Kandern, where the property is<br />
situated, is a small quaint German town in<br />
black-forest with rich history, attractions,<br />
restaurants, and shops, so you never have to<br />
venture to far out to get a hold of any basics.<br />
However, venture outside of Kandern and<br />
you have the heartland of Western <strong>Europe</strong> on<br />
your doorstep. The German wellness town of<br />
Badenweiler is only eight miles away, to the<br />
west just over the French border you have<br />
the famed town of Mulhouse and sixteen<br />
miles to the south lies the Beautiful swiss city<br />
of Basel.<br />
Klostergasse 2, 79400<br />
Kandern, Germany<br />
Tel +49 1520 1945145<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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France<br />
<br />
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Paris, France<br />
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Sailing Holiday<br />
in France<br />
France is one of <strong>Europe</strong>’s premier destinations<br />
for a sailing holiday. There is a lot on offer in<br />
terms of the type of sailing trip, group size, location,<br />
and price. You don’t have to be a millionaire to take<br />
advantage of France’s beautiful waters. To help we’ve<br />
put together a handy guide profiling three of France’s<br />
best destinations for a sailing holiday.<br />
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The French Riviera<br />
This is the place that <strong>com</strong>es to mind<br />
when you think of luxury sailing in<br />
France, the French Riviera runs<br />
about 560 miles from the Italian<br />
border in the east to St Tropez in<br />
the west. The riviera boasts several<br />
glamorous sailing resorts such as<br />
Cannes, Nice, and Monaco, as well<br />
as stunning beaches, secluded<br />
bays, fantastic weather, and<br />
exciting aquatic wildlife.<br />
Corsica<br />
Corsica is the fourth largest Island<br />
in the Mediterranean and makes<br />
for an excellent summer sailing<br />
destination. Expect stunning<br />
natural landscapes, quaint seaside<br />
towns, sea caves, and fantastic<br />
wildlife, the island boasts a whale<br />
and dolphin sanctuary. Corsica isn’t<br />
like the mainland and the way of life<br />
on the island is a little more relaxed<br />
so when you dock at a harbour<br />
expect warm locals, excellent<br />
cuisine, and loads to do.<br />
Canal du Midi<br />
A cruise down the spectacular Canal<br />
du Midi is the epitome of a romantic<br />
South of France holiday. Once on<br />
board all you need to do is sit back<br />
with a nice glass of local wine and<br />
watch the world go by. Enjoy the<br />
beautiful scenery of small valleys,<br />
fields of flowers, grassy meadows,<br />
lush forests, arched bridges, and the<br />
Pyrenees mountains in the distance.<br />
For a reliable and experience partner<br />
in France that can take care of all<br />
your sailing needs we re<strong>com</strong>mend<br />
Filovent, profiled in depth on the<br />
following page.<br />
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Filovent<br />
France | Cruise Company<br />
H eadquartered in Paris, Filovent is without doubt one of France’s<br />
leading yacht charter operators. Working primarily as an intermediary<br />
between shipowners and clients Filovent currently operates in 80<br />
locations worldwide with an extensive portfolio of 18,000 boats.<br />
With the largest boat catalogue in <strong>Europe</strong> you can guarantee<br />
Filovent will find something to suit your needs. 20,000<br />
happy sailors can’t be wrong!<br />
Founded in 1994 by the charismatic Philippe<br />
Burnet, Filovent is primarily focus on the French,<br />
Italian, German and UK markets. Through<br />
a tried and tested selection criteria of<br />
partners Filovent can meet the needs of<br />
the most demanding of clients. This is<br />
further enhanced using regular client<br />
satisfactions surveys that ensure<br />
the highest quality standards are<br />
being met by shipowners.<br />
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Filovent are without question experts in<br />
this field backed up by over 25 years of<br />
Experience. A 100% French <strong>com</strong>pany the are<br />
trustworthy and fully transparent when it<br />
<strong>com</strong>es to feedback. Customers can expect<br />
a high-quality service, with a diversity of<br />
options and a fully personalised experience.<br />
The need to innovate and continually<br />
challenges means Filovent won’t be knocked<br />
off the top spot anytime soon.<br />
What ever you need whether it be a skippered<br />
journey, river sailing, large group, themed<br />
trip or a long-term excursion Filovent is the<br />
<strong>com</strong>pany for you!<br />
Or if you’re shipowner and you feel you have<br />
what it takes to meet the Filovent standards<br />
then why not register your boat or fleet. Take<br />
advantage of a Filovents visibility, reliability<br />
and experience to find new customers.<br />
Boulogne-Billancourt,<br />
France<br />
Tel +33 1 70 80 97 52<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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Spain<br />
<br />
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Barcelona, Spain<br />
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Ibiza Wel<strong>com</strong>e<br />
to Our Island<br />
in partnership with<br />
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Where We Are<br />
Ibiza is located east of the Iberian Peninsula, in the Mediterranean<br />
Sea, in the autonomous region of Illes Balears. Ibiza is made up<br />
of five towns: Ibiza, which is the capital, Santa Eulària des Riu,<br />
Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Sant Antoni de Portmany, and Sant<br />
Joan de Labritja. Each of them offers its visitors both different<br />
and supplementary possibilities. According to the register’s latest<br />
data, the island has a population of over 140,000 inhabitants,<br />
although the number of residents grows considerably during<br />
summer season.
Our World Heritage Site<br />
The capital of Ibiza is home to an impressive fortress<br />
was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. This<br />
international award acknowledges its historical, cultural,<br />
and architectural value. It is the best-preserved coastal<br />
fortress in the Mediterranean. Dalt Vila’s acropolis is<br />
filled with alleys and monuments such as a castle and a<br />
cathedral. It has been a cultural crossover for centuries, and<br />
this fortress’ environment is the stage for concerts, poetic<br />
cycles, exhibitions, and cultural activities all year round.<br />
The Phoenician remains of Sa Caleta, in San Josep, and<br />
the Phoenician-Punic necropolis of Puig des Molins, in<br />
Ibiza, are also part of this World Heritage Site, as UNESCO<br />
considers them an exceptional evidence of urbanization<br />
and social life in the Phoenician colonies of the western<br />
Mediterranean. They constitute a unique resource, in terms<br />
of volume and importance, of material from the Phoenician<br />
and Carthaginian tombs.<br />
The UNESCO <strong>com</strong>mittee defined Ibiza as a privileged<br />
environment due to its diversity and natural values,<br />
considering the richness of the prairies of oceanic posidonia,<br />
seabed plants, the best preserved in the Mediterranean<br />
and located within a Natural Reserve. These prairies hold<br />
220 different species, including three that are globally<br />
threatened, one of them being the monk seal. They are<br />
responsible for the purity and transparency of the water<br />
that surrounds the island.<br />
Both for its cultural criteria and for its natural values,<br />
UNESCO chose Ibiza as one of the places to be preserved<br />
for future generations.<br />
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Our History<br />
A FASCINATING PAST<br />
Ibiza is one of the oldest urban<br />
environments in Western<br />
Mediterranean, and the first in the<br />
Balearic archipelago. The islands<br />
past is stunning and fundamental<br />
to understanding its present, its<br />
cultural and social reality, through<br />
the mosaic of cultures that have<br />
steadily occupied it since 2700 AC.<br />
Our Beaches<br />
Without a doubt, Ibizan beaches represents the most prominent appeal of<br />
the island.<br />
The beaches on the island are known for their singular beauty and turquoise<br />
transparent water thanks to the oceanic posidonia on the seabed. It has<br />
been UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.<br />
There are magical bays, like Cala d´Hort, overlooked by Es Vedrà islet; other<br />
singular beauties, such as Platges de Comte; rarely visited corners, as Es<br />
Pou des Lleó; and big and familiar beaches, such as Platja d’en Bossa and Es<br />
Figueral. The beaches of Ses Salines and Es Cavallet are within a protected<br />
natural environment. They have a dune system of great ecological value.<br />
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Our Towns<br />
Ibiza’s towns are the island’s heart and<br />
soul; their centuries-old homes and<br />
traditions are familiar the world over.<br />
Ibiza’s landscape, and the fifteen towns<br />
it <strong>com</strong>prises, is punctuated by fiestas,<br />
historical water wells, authenticity,<br />
stories, and life.<br />
La Cala de Sant Vicent, Sant Joan de<br />
Labritja, Sant Llorenç de Balàfia, Sant<br />
Miquel de Balansat, Santa Gertrudis<br />
de Fruitera, Santa Agnès de Corona,<br />
Sant Carles de Peralta, Sant Rafel de<br />
sa Creu, Santa Eulària des Riu, Sant<br />
Josep de Sa Talaia, Sant Jordi de ses<br />
Salines, Es Cubells, Jesús, Sant Antoni<br />
de Portmany and Sant Agustí des<br />
Vedrà. Each possesses an indisputably<br />
Mediterranean character. Although to<br />
get the real, authentic Ibiza, one must<br />
delve into the nitty gritty. Discover<br />
the weekly markets, the patron saint<br />
celebrations, hundred-year-old taverns,<br />
or deeply original customs.<br />
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Our Wine & Gastronomy<br />
Ibiza lures you with its landscape, climate, people, and<br />
because if offers the finest gastronomy beside the beach,<br />
in historical places, in the middle of the countryside, or<br />
beneath the starry sky.<br />
Have the luxury of eating natural products in their perfect<br />
point of ripeness and remember your childhood flavours.<br />
Enjoy the peace and freedom atmosphere on the island,<br />
just as you are being served a dish of shellfish and rice<br />
by the sea, or just tasting the freshest of fish as such as<br />
grouper, tuna, San Pedro megrim, or wrasse.<br />
Ibiza is a trip of sensations. The excellent quality of its<br />
prime material mixes with the tradition of recipes that<br />
<strong>com</strong>e to us with the same uniqueness: the “sofrit pages”,<br />
slaughter rice, the “guisat de peix”, the “greixonera”, and<br />
the “flaó” are some of the classical recipes. This traditional<br />
cuisine passes on the culture and way of life where the<br />
focus is on gathering amongst friends and family.<br />
Get carried away by Ibiza’s local wine, its virgin olive oil,<br />
and its peasant bread, delicacies that can be found on<br />
every table. They ac<strong>com</strong>pany the magical moment in<br />
which eating is the equivalent of taking care of yourself,<br />
learning new things, sharing, and smiling.<br />
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Our Music and Nighlife<br />
Ibiza is a great music temple, a trend laboratory, an<br />
experimentation platform, and a meeting point for<br />
professionals in the music industry to get together<br />
every summer to offer the best nightlife in the world.<br />
The best discos, the most glamorous beach clubs,<br />
live music with first class international bands, the<br />
well-known hippy parties, the local celebrations of<br />
each town, and great DJs under the umbrella of<br />
the best prepared sponsors. All of these element’s<br />
merge with staging, performances, audio-visual<br />
effects, and unique concepts that are renewed<br />
season after season.<br />
Electronic music invaded Ibiza in the 90s and took<br />
over the best parties. In the 20th century, the<br />
island expanded its offering to create activities<br />
fit for all tastes and pockets. From taking a walkthrough<br />
Ibiza’s port while enjoying the disco<br />
passacaglia, to reserving a VIP space in one of the<br />
best discos in the word, or having a good time in<br />
the most exclusive beach clubs, restaurants, and<br />
theme hotels.<br />
Ibiza is a party!!<br />
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Barcelona City<br />
of Splendour<br />
The capital of the autonomous <strong>com</strong>munity of Catalonia,<br />
Barcelona is a vibrant, multicultural, and exciting. The city<br />
is jam-packed with cultural treasures, beautiful art, superb<br />
restaurants, friendly locals, and loads to do.<br />
Getting in & Getting Around<br />
Barcelona’s location means the city is easily accessible<br />
whether it be via plane, train, car, or boat. Barcelona<br />
international airport is a major transport hub with<br />
flights arriving from all over the world. The train network<br />
between Barcelona, the rest of Spain and neighbouring<br />
France is extensive. The city’s port tends to be quite<br />
busy throughout the year with several connections from<br />
cities in Spain and Italy, as well as Tangiers in Morocco.<br />
The public transport system in Barcelona is well run and<br />
efficient. You have the option of <strong>com</strong>muter trains, trams, and<br />
buses as well as regular taxis. However, for a service like Uber<br />
you need to book one hour in advance. Another popular way<br />
to get around the city is via electric scooter of bicycle.<br />
138
Things To Do<br />
For a relatively small city Barcelona offers a lot for travellers.<br />
The most popular attractions are the works of legendary<br />
architect Antoni Gaudi, you have his famous Park Guell,<br />
Casa Battlo, Torre Bellesguard and the icing on the cake<br />
the Sagrada Familia.<br />
If your goal is to relax then be sure to spend the day at<br />
Barceloneta beach, this is an artificial beach created for the<br />
1992 Olympics and has since be<strong>com</strong>e a popular attraction.<br />
Lovers of football must of course pilgrimage to the<br />
Cathedral of football, Barcelona’s home stadium the<br />
Camp Nou.<br />
Food<br />
Barcelona is a food lovers delight. Dishes from all over<br />
Spain can be found across the city, however if you’re<br />
looking for something distinctly Catalan try the seafood,<br />
in particular the Paella, which is a local speciality.<br />
We propose joining a food tour to get the most out of the<br />
gastronomic pleasures of the city and to learn of all the<br />
best places to eat & drink.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
Lugaris Beach Apartments, a <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong><br />
award winner, is our re<strong>com</strong>mendation when it <strong>com</strong>es to<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modation. See the winner profile on the next page.<br />
Find out more https://<strong>www</strong>.barcelonaturisme.<strong>com</strong>/<br />
wv3/en/<br />
139
Lugaris Beach Apartments<br />
Catalonia, Spain | Luxury Apartments<br />
Barcelona is a city that has <strong>com</strong>e into its own in recent times and here<br />
is one of its most impressive holiday apartment <strong>com</strong>plexes. Lugaris<br />
apartments are contemporary, spacious, fully equipped, accessible and<br />
<strong>com</strong>e with a whole host of services. Whether you’re in town for business<br />
or pleasure Lugaris will leave you more than satisfied.<br />
The Lugaris apartments <strong>com</strong>plex offers several varied options with<br />
small apartments for up to 3 people to much bigger family friendly<br />
apartments able to house 6. Each apartment <strong>com</strong>es with a flat<br />
screen TV, Nespresso machine, a well-resourced kitchen, free<br />
wi-fi, living area, washer-dryer, toiletries, hand-sanitizer, air<br />
conditioning, dining area and either a city or sea View.<br />
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Building facilities and services include optional<br />
parking, an amazing swimming pool, grocery<br />
shopping, babysitting, car rental, bike rental<br />
and a staff reception, should you need anything<br />
else. Staff are friendly, wel<strong>com</strong>ing and will<br />
always go that one step further to make sure<br />
your stay is as <strong>com</strong>fortable as possible.<br />
The best thing about staying at Lugaris is<br />
without doubt the great location in the quite<br />
neighbourhood of Poble Nou. The property<br />
is only a few minutes away from Barcelona’s<br />
stunning coastline. Nearby Bogatell beach is<br />
perfect to cool off during the summer months,<br />
enjoy ice-cream or some water sports. With the<br />
Poble Nou metro station only a few minutes<br />
away you will find you can reach Barcelona’s<br />
best attractions with ease. The area itself is<br />
home to some great bars and restaurants so<br />
you’ll never be short of somewhere to go.<br />
Lugaris will not just be your apartment for your<br />
stay it will be your home!!<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Passeig de Calvell 45, 08005,<br />
Barcelona, Spain<br />
Tel +34 932 219 159<br />
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Andalucia<br />
Beautiful Cities<br />
142<br />
Andalucia is the soul of Spain, the region is famed<br />
for its magnificent architecture, interesting history,<br />
Moorish heritage, breath-taking natural wonders, stunning<br />
coastline, authentic villages, and terrific food. When it<br />
<strong>com</strong>es to deciding where to go there are so many cities<br />
to choose from and with limited time its not always<br />
straightforward deciding where to go. To help decide here<br />
is our pick of the four finest cities in the region.<br />
Seville<br />
The capital and largest city of Andalucia. Seville has a<br />
stellar reputation for its architecture, culture, and thriving<br />
tourism scene. Seville was a key city during Roman times,<br />
under Arab rule and during the Age of Discovery. You’ll find<br />
all these influences throughout the city and so much more.
Cordoba<br />
The city has been declared a World<br />
Heritage Site making it a must visit<br />
destination in Andalucia. Within the<br />
city you’ll find a beautiful labyrinth<br />
of small streets, squares, and<br />
whitewashed courtyards. The city’s<br />
unique layout, diverse cultural<br />
scene, and artistic reputation<br />
reflects its prominent place in<br />
the Islamic world during medieval<br />
times.<br />
Malaga<br />
The largest city on the worldfamous<br />
Costa del Sol, Malaga is<br />
often flooded with tourists in the<br />
summer. This is for good reason as<br />
its an amazing city for a myriad of<br />
activities such as hiking, heritage<br />
sites, museums, restaurants,<br />
shopping hubs, and beaches. While<br />
it may be busy with tourists the city<br />
still has a much more laid-back vibe<br />
than other major Spanish cities.<br />
Cadiz<br />
One of the oldest continually<br />
inhabited cities in western <strong>Europe</strong>,<br />
Cadiz is typically Andalusian. It<br />
has laidback vibe and is home<br />
to numerous architectural gems<br />
that reflect its long history. The<br />
old town is an absolute pleasure<br />
with its narrow streets, connecting<br />
squares, and beautiful buildings.<br />
The Carnaval of Cadiz is not one to<br />
be missed, it’s considered one of<br />
the biggest in the world.<br />
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Portugal<br />
<br />
144
Cabo da roca, Portugal<br />
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Getting Around<br />
Portugal<br />
Getting into Portugal is pretty simple, there are several<br />
international airports in the country that are well<br />
connected globally, and should you need to, you can travel<br />
on road or rail from neighbouring Spain.<br />
Once in Portugal there are several ways to get around, it’s<br />
a relatively small country with a sparsely spread population<br />
so moving between different cities, towns, and villages is<br />
not always so clear. We’ve put together a little guide on<br />
getting around using the three main methods, train, bus,<br />
and car. Keep in mind however that air travel between the<br />
major cities is an option but not the most popular one and<br />
services are limited.<br />
Portugal<br />
Lisbon<br />
146
Train<br />
The train network in Portugal is<br />
solid without being spectacular.<br />
Between the main regions and<br />
cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Faro,<br />
Braga, Coimbra and Aveiro you’ll<br />
find good connections. This is faster<br />
than using the buses, but it does<br />
cost more. Rural areas and towns<br />
are also serviced by trains but<br />
those are less frequent. Some of<br />
the routes run through picturesque<br />
landscapes so travelling on trains<br />
can be a real treat.<br />
It is re<strong>com</strong>mended that you book<br />
in advance and if you do so 5 days<br />
before you’re due to travel then you<br />
may receive a discount.<br />
Find out more - https://<strong>www</strong>.cp.pt//<br />
passageiros/en<br />
Bus<br />
Buses are the cheapest option and<br />
don’t take much longer than the<br />
trains. The bus system in Portugal<br />
is highly efficient and represents<br />
the best option for getting to rural<br />
areas and small villages. Rede<br />
Express is the largest bus <strong>com</strong>pany<br />
serving most major destination and<br />
regional <strong>com</strong>panies fill the gaps<br />
to reach smaller <strong>com</strong>munities. It’s<br />
worth noting that some of these<br />
services may be limited to only<br />
a couple of journeys a day so it’s<br />
worth planning ahead.<br />
Bus stations normally have a<br />
service counter or booth where<br />
you can purchase tickets for travel.<br />
To book ahead of time check out -<br />
https://<strong>www</strong>.rede-expressos.pt/en<br />
Car<br />
Self-driving in Portugal can be<br />
a challenge to say the least.<br />
While major motorways are well<br />
maintained some secondary roads<br />
are not. On top of this driving in the<br />
country can seem erratic and even<br />
scary to the uninitiated. For this<br />
reason, we advise hiring a private<br />
driver to get around, someone that<br />
knows the roads and customs. This<br />
is also the best way to get to those<br />
out of reach destinations and allow<br />
the freedom to go as you please.<br />
Avenidas Tours and Transfers profile<br />
in depth on the following happy<br />
to take care of any transfer and<br />
private driver needs. Find out more<br />
at https://<strong>www</strong>.avenidas.pt/<br />
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Avenidas - Here for you<br />
Portugal | Transfer Company<br />
For a lot of travellers, the idea of exploring Portugal is exciting but most<br />
wouldn’t know where to begin or how to get around to all the amazing<br />
sights, off the beaten path attractions and hidden gems. We do however<br />
have the solutions for all your transportation and touristic needs and that<br />
is Avenidas.<br />
From its humble beginnings as a single car focused on Uber<br />
rides Avenidas has now grown to be<strong>com</strong>e one of the big<br />
transportation players in Portugal with over 20 cars owned<br />
and operated daily for tours, transfers, private rides<br />
and platforms such as Uber and Bolt. The growth of<br />
Avenidas <strong>com</strong>es down to the focus on providing an<br />
open, <strong>com</strong>mitted, and friendly service with family<br />
values, efficiency, and reliability as key tenets.<br />
Avenidas services include private and shared<br />
tours, transfers, private drivers, event<br />
transportation and an innovative product<br />
called Resolv.<br />
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Private and Shared Tours<br />
The high quality of service, fun experiences<br />
and friendliness of tours guides has meant that<br />
Avenidas private tours have risen to the famed<br />
number one position on TripAdvisor for Lisbon<br />
tours. Popular sightseeing tours options are to<br />
Sintra, Nazare, Lisbon, Porto, Berlengas and<br />
Sesimbra.<br />
Shared tours while similar in content and routes<br />
offer a pleasant alternative to private tours<br />
especially for solo travellers and those who love<br />
to meet new people.<br />
Transfers and Private Drivers<br />
Getting from point A to point B needn’t be a<br />
bother or strain with Avenidas. Making the<br />
journey in an efficient, reliable, and professional<br />
manner take centre stage with drivers being<br />
made available on WhatsApp before and after<br />
the journey to ensure everything runs smoothly.<br />
Why not take this one step further but hiring<br />
a private driver for the duration of your stay?<br />
Have a car and driver on your <strong>com</strong>mand 24/7<br />
giving you <strong>com</strong>plete freedom and control to<br />
customise any journey.<br />
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Events<br />
Organising safe and<br />
reliable transportation<br />
during a festival, wedding,<br />
<strong>com</strong>pany event or any<br />
large gathering can be<br />
a logistical nightmare<br />
but not when you’ve got<br />
Avenidas on hand. With<br />
several cars in various<br />
sizes Avenidas are ready<br />
to organise all transport<br />
for any event.<br />
Resolv Service<br />
Resolv is a unique<br />
problem solver service<br />
offered by Avenidas.<br />
Whether you find yourself<br />
in an emergency, difficult<br />
logistical situation or are<br />
unsure how to approach a<br />
transport related problem,<br />
Resolv is ideal for finding a<br />
win-win solution.<br />
Avenidas - 1200-302 Lisboa<br />
c/o Manuel Reis<br />
Tel +351 917 208 885<br />
Tel +351 916 361 635<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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Cristo Rei and 25 April Bridge,<br />
Lisbon, Portugal<br />
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The Algarve’s 3<br />
Best Walking Tours<br />
and Where to Stay<br />
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the iunteniendae rugged western velenectur? coast of the region from Santiago do Cacém in<br />
the Alentejo to Sagres in the Algarve. The main attraction to this area<br />
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From omnim amateur doluptu to recus, the most to etur, experienced officim olorro hiker the modistorae. Algarve has something to offer. Here are our three<br />
favourite walking tours.
Portugal 4U & Quinta Bonita<br />
Country House and Gardens<br />
Portugal 4U offers a brilliant tour called ‘Portuguese<br />
discoveries and lighthouse’ that begins with a<br />
stunning walk along the coastline passing beaches<br />
which were voted the most beautiful in the world<br />
(Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade). The walk is very<br />
accessible and is only 7 km, with plenty of Instagramable<br />
photo ops! The walk ends at Ponta da Piedade a<br />
beach famous for its unique rock formations where<br />
you will sit down to a delicious traditional lunch. A<br />
1-hour boat ride will then return you to the start point,<br />
exploring sites such as the Cave of Love and the Arch<br />
of Triumph, among others.<br />
The tour starts and ends in Lagos making Quinta Bonita country<br />
house the ideal base to stay. This boutique hotel has exquisite<br />
gardens to roam, a swimming pool and a yoga and wellness studio<br />
for guests to unwind in - perfect after an action-packed day. Their<br />
food philosophy is ‘simple, tasty and local’, catering for all diets and<br />
sourcing a variety of locally grown and seasonal produce to curate<br />
healthy mouth-watering dishes. If the Portugal 4U tour whet your<br />
appetite for exploring the Algarve by foot, Quinta Bonita has an<br />
album of walking notes and suggestions for guests to peruse.<br />
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Morgan’s Nature Walks and<br />
Dunas Douradas Beach Club<br />
Based in central rural Algarve,<br />
Morgan’s Nature Walks whisks you<br />
away from the crowds to explore<br />
hidden gems. One of their walks<br />
will guide you through Fonte<br />
Benémola, a protected area, which<br />
is a luscious green valley full of<br />
animal and plant life. It is not only<br />
home to over 100 different species<br />
of bird that can be seen throughout<br />
the whole trail but also more than<br />
300 diverse species of plants. It is<br />
also possible to see many species<br />
of water snakes swimming in the<br />
creek in search of small fish and<br />
turtles sunning themselves on<br />
the banks. Morgan’s nature walks<br />
offer walks for all different abilities<br />
and enthusiasms including three<br />
photography specific walks and<br />
even a bird ringing walking tour.<br />
Located just a 30-minute drive from these stunning walks is Dunas Douradas<br />
Beach Club . The hotel is an award-winning five-star resort in the heart of the<br />
Algarve’s Golden Triangle. Situated in a privileged setting away from the crowds,<br />
overlooking the ocean and endless golden beaches of the Atlantic coastline, the<br />
luxury resort wel<strong>com</strong>es guests to a relaxed and elegant atmosphere and offers<br />
exclusivity and recreation for every member of the family.<br />
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A2Z & Memmo Baleeira Hotel<br />
A 2 Z organises multiple day hiking trips<br />
for the more experienced walkers. Their<br />
Western Algarve tour covers 107km of<br />
breath-taking terrain in 7 days. It is selfguided,<br />
and includes 6 nights of 3-Star<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modation, luggage transfers,<br />
guidebooks, maps, insurance, and a GPS<br />
devise with accurate routes. A2Z invites<br />
clients to explore Rota Vicentina’s network<br />
of walking trails, including the Historical<br />
Way, the Fishermen’s Trail, and several<br />
Circular Routes. The tours allow clients to<br />
experience authentic rural Algarve and the<br />
rugged wild Atlantic coastline with prices<br />
starting at €649 for the week.<br />
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After a week’s walking some R&R<br />
may be in order and Memmo Baleeira<br />
Hotel will not disappoint. It is a 4-star<br />
hotel with views across the ocean<br />
and Baleeira harbour near Sagres<br />
on the most westerly point of the<br />
region. This contemporary hotel has<br />
its own restaurant, bar, pool, and<br />
spa to help guests unwind after an<br />
exciting day. The Hotel is well suited<br />
for people seeking outdoor, active<br />
holidays with its own surf centre<br />
and capacity to organise activities<br />
such as: bike tours, Jeep trips, water<br />
sports and golf.
GET IN TOUCH<br />
For further information on The Algarve, please visit:<br />
<strong>www</strong>.visitalgarve.pt or http://<strong>www</strong>.algarvepromotion.pt/en/<br />
Social Media Channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram<br />
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Shantivillas Algarve<br />
Portugal, Algarve | Luxury Villas<br />
The Algarve has long been considered one of the luxury capitals of<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>, it’s a popular destination for professional footballers,<br />
celebrities and affluents individuals. This is mainly because<br />
there is nothing quite as unique as the Algarve with its rich<br />
culinary heritage, stunning coastline, friendly inhabitants,<br />
and contrasting locales. If you find yourself planning a<br />
trip to the region and are wondering where to stay<br />
then we have the answer for you, Shantivillas.<br />
Founded back in 2016, Shantivillas has grown to<br />
be<strong>com</strong>e one of the premier Villa brokers in all<br />
of Portugal. The <strong>com</strong>pany was borne out of<br />
a <strong>com</strong>mon issue for many travellers which<br />
was difficulty in finding a reputable and<br />
professional Villa provider who could<br />
source high quality, private and<br />
luxurious villas.<br />
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Located only 20 minutes from Vilamoura, the Shantivillas<br />
portfolio includes 10 spectacular properties dotted around<br />
the region, all finished to an elegant and modern standard.<br />
The smallest of which is perfect for a small group of four<br />
and the largest able to ac<strong>com</strong>modate a staggering 16<br />
individuals. As a standard all villas <strong>com</strong>e with a private<br />
swimming pool, state of the art kitchen, en Suite bedrooms,<br />
free WIFI and some even a with children’s pool. All properties<br />
are located only 40 minutes or so from Faro International<br />
airport with golf courses, the beach and shopping outlets<br />
all nearby.<br />
To top this Shantivillas provide a whole host of services<br />
such as transfers, car rentals, a private chef, sightseeing<br />
tours, arrival orientation, grocery shopper, maid service and<br />
expert advice on the local area.<br />
Aldeamento do Malhão,<br />
8200-484 , Albufeira, Portugal<br />
Tel +351 289 362 131<br />
Tel +351 968984269<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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We have been lucky enough to sit down<br />
with the Operations Manager, Rui Manuel<br />
Grou, to talk a bit more about the <strong>com</strong>pany,<br />
himself and the challenges faced by the<br />
Covid pandemic.<br />
Tell us a little bit about yourself.<br />
I consider myself a very professional and<br />
dedicated person that does not stop<br />
until he gets what he wants. My friends<br />
usually say I am a loyal friend and that I<br />
have my ideals well defined. I see myself<br />
as detailed orientated with exceptional<br />
follow-through and the ability to plan and<br />
oversee a broad range of responsibilities<br />
from concept to successful execution.<br />
I am a visible and personally involved<br />
leader with excellent interpersonal and<br />
<strong>com</strong>munication skills.<br />
I have worked in the <strong>Hospitality</strong> business<br />
for more than 17 years, in hotel operations<br />
as reception manager, spa manager, hotel<br />
assistant manager and as operations<br />
director in several 5-star environments.<br />
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When was Shantivillas<br />
founded and what was<br />
the thinking behind it?<br />
Shantivillas was born at<br />
the beginning of 2016 to<br />
respond to those looking<br />
to enjoy quality holidays in<br />
the countryside, near the<br />
beach. We bet on prestigious<br />
tourism allied to a region<br />
known for its natural charms.<br />
Located in the Algarve just<br />
30 minutes west of Faro, the<br />
gateway to the Algarve.<br />
Our villas are located in the<br />
tranquil southern region<br />
of Portugal and we offer a<br />
collection of hand-picked<br />
properties ideal for families<br />
or groups of friends travelling<br />
together, each of the 10 villas<br />
is individually designed and<br />
would make a stylish home<br />
from home for the holidays.<br />
What makes Shantivillas unique?<br />
We have a handpicked collection of luxury villas are<br />
dotted around the region in the most rural, peaceful<br />
spots, each one offering sweeping countryside views,<br />
a heated outdoor pool and the utmost privacy as<br />
standard.<br />
Whether the guest is looking for a grand property with<br />
spacious landscaped gardens or a <strong>com</strong>fortable yet<br />
elegant hideaway with a panoramic coastal backdrop,<br />
ShantiVillas’ unique portfolio is bound to have a villa to<br />
match your needs – ensuring the dreamiest Algarve<br />
escape.<br />
Do you provide any<br />
extra services?<br />
In addition to a standard<br />
villa rental, we offer a<br />
number of additional<br />
services allowing you to<br />
add those all-important<br />
extras to your stay, whether<br />
it’s a friendly wel<strong>com</strong>e and<br />
orientation on your arrival,<br />
or a private chef to cook a<br />
delicious dinner for you and<br />
your family. Shantivillas are<br />
ideal for family stays and<br />
a perfect <strong>com</strong>plement to<br />
Luxury Tailor Made <strong>Travel</strong>;<br />
ask us to create a journey<br />
customized around the<br />
properties of your choice,<br />
<strong>com</strong>plete with sightseeing,<br />
insider access and expert<br />
local guides.<br />
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How many people can your largest villa<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>modate?<br />
Shantivillas presents an impeccable portfolio of luxury villas<br />
in the Portuguese village of Malhão, a destination famed<br />
for its authentic way of life. In particular, multigenerational<br />
families and groups will find the hand-picked properties – the<br />
largest of which ac<strong>com</strong>modate up to 16 guests – perfectly<br />
suited to travel needs.<br />
Discover here the holiday home that you have always<br />
dreamed of having.<br />
What challenges did the Covid-19 pandemic present and how<br />
did you over<strong>com</strong>e these?<br />
The outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19 represents an important<br />
and evolving challenge to the tourism sector. Containment of the<br />
pandemic is the top priority and the tourism sector is <strong>com</strong>mitted to<br />
supporting all measures taken to contain the epidemic.<br />
Our true goal during this difficult time is to give value to our visitors<br />
and look for other tourism markets. The current ban on travels might<br />
contribute in the long run to the discovery of our World Heritage<br />
gems by the people living in our part of <strong>Europe</strong>. We are hoping for<br />
a quick ending to this situation, and that tourism will once again<br />
<strong>com</strong>mence.<br />
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Where are most of your guests from? Do you have<br />
a target market?<br />
In the last couple of years, we had guests mainly from<br />
the United Kingdom and a small number of national<br />
guests, but we have been working other markets such<br />
Germany, France, Spain. Last year for example with the<br />
Covid-19 pandemic we had more Portuguese guests<br />
looking for our product since the other guests had travel<br />
restrictions.<br />
Your favourite holiday destination and why?<br />
<strong>Travel</strong>ling is one of the best ways to get away from the<br />
daily hustle-bustle. It gives me time and space to enjoy<br />
my passions and lets me spend some time with my<br />
family as well. Here are a few places in the world, that<br />
are simply my favourite places for holiday. However, I do<br />
enjoy travelling to new places, meeting new people and<br />
trying new cuisines.<br />
Cape Verde;<br />
Dominican Republic;<br />
Formentera<br />
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Lisbon’s<br />
Hidden Gems<br />
Lisbon is one of <strong>Europe</strong> leading holiday capitals.<br />
It’s a vibrant coastal city with loads to do, a whole<br />
host of attractions, a unique history, meaningful<br />
architecture, an exceptional culinary heritage, a lively<br />
nightlife scene, sociable locals, and great weather<br />
for most of the year. Iconic sites include the Belem<br />
Tower, Jeronminos Monastery, the Praca do Comercio<br />
(Commerce Square), and Lisbon Cathedral. Like any<br />
other major <strong>Europe</strong>an city Lisbon has its own set of<br />
hidden gems and we’ve chosen a few worth visiting.<br />
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The National Tile Museum<br />
On the face of it the Tile Museum<br />
may not sound like much of a hidden<br />
gem but once you step inside, you’ll<br />
be awed very quickly. Housed in an<br />
elegant 16th century convent, the<br />
museum setting is dramatic as it is<br />
impressive. Inside you’ll find hundreds<br />
of azulejo’s (Portuguese tiles)<br />
covering every inch of the interior.<br />
They are arranged chronologically<br />
from the 16th century right up to the<br />
abstract styles of the 20th.<br />
Find out more<br />
http://<strong>www</strong>.museudoazulejo.gov.pt/<br />
The Graca Neighbourhood<br />
This one is a true hidden gem simply<br />
because it’s so quintessentially<br />
Portuguese. For anyone looking<br />
for a typical and local Portuguese<br />
setting then Graca is the ideal<br />
place. There’s no flood of tourism,<br />
no major attractions, no attempt to<br />
regenerate, and no influx of wealth.<br />
The bustling main street is lined<br />
with restaurants, bars, and cafes<br />
filled with locals. For an authentic<br />
experience Graca can’t be beat.<br />
Basilica da Estrela &<br />
Jardim da Estrela<br />
Sitting upon a hill the Basilica<br />
da Estrela is an impressive<br />
neoclassical landmark. It’s a<br />
wonderful hidden gem set away<br />
from the main centre and is not<br />
too busy with tourists. The rooftop<br />
offers stunning views of Lisbon,<br />
and the interior is made up of an<br />
impressive pristine white, pink,<br />
grey, yellow and black marble.<br />
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Portugal<br />
Setubal<br />
Only a day trip away from Lisbon, Setubal is considered<br />
something of an out of the way alternative. This vibrant<br />
seaside town sitting along a beautiful stretch of the Portuguese<br />
coast is oftentimes a getaway town for locals of Lisbon or an<br />
alternative for those travellers who have done the rounds in<br />
Lisbon and want something new. Setubal is an ideal base to<br />
explore the natural beauty of the region, the wildlife, enjoy<br />
delicious seafood, and to relax on pristine beaches.<br />
Getting in and Getting Around<br />
The nearest airport is Lisbon Portela Airport, it’s well connected<br />
internationally all year round. It’s still about half an hour dive<br />
away from Setubal so you’ll need to arrange transport, either a<br />
bus or private taxi. The train is another option from the airport<br />
but would require you to go into Lisbon, in fact the only way<br />
into Setubal via train from anywhere in Portugal is by first<br />
getting a train that goes into Lisbon.<br />
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Using the bus is the most<br />
direct route as the bus station<br />
is more centrally located than<br />
the train station. Ofcourse<br />
driving in is an option, the<br />
roads in Portugal are well<br />
maintained, safe and easy to<br />
navigate.<br />
Getting around Setubal is<br />
simple enough, it’s a small<br />
town so navigating on foot<br />
should be fine. There is also a<br />
bus service for the town with<br />
an effective schedule and<br />
good quality buses.<br />
Things to Do<br />
The big attraction with Setubal is not so<br />
much in the town itself but the beauty<br />
of the surrounding area. With that being<br />
said there are a few gems within the<br />
town such <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> Award<br />
winner Casa da Baia, a brilliant spot to<br />
get more information on the area, pick<br />
up a few souvenirs, and just take in its<br />
architectural beauty.<br />
Given the coastal location of Setubal a<br />
boat tour to see the dolphins is a must,<br />
you can also take part in water sports<br />
such as stand-up paddle boarding,<br />
surfing, and fishing.<br />
Outside of the city there are two stunning<br />
sites, the first is the Arrabida National Park,<br />
famous for its varied wildlife, beautiful<br />
coast, historic fortress, the Arrabida<br />
mountain range, and hiking routes. The<br />
other site is the Castle of Palmela, located<br />
as part of the village with the same name.<br />
It’s a national monument and built on a<br />
hill, the views at the top are spectacular.<br />
If you just want to relax, you’ll find several<br />
idyllic beaches in and around Setubal<br />
such as the Praia dos Galapos, Praia dos<br />
Galapinhos, Praia do Creiro, and Praia dos<br />
Coelhos. The beaches never get too busy<br />
so remain pristine all year round.<br />
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Food<br />
Like much of Portugal the cuisine in Setubal is<br />
centred on seafood, the town is a busy fishing port,<br />
so the fish tends to be fresh and number seafood<br />
restaurants plentiful. Sardines are a favourite among<br />
locals along with Chocos Fritos (fried cuttlefish).<br />
Setubal is a well-known wine region so be sure<br />
to sample the local Moscatel de Setúbal, a sweet<br />
fortified white wine. You can also find it souvenir<br />
shops to take back with you.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
We’ve got the perfect place for you to stay in Setubal,<br />
the multi-award-winning RM Guest House. It’s a unique<br />
<strong>com</strong>bination of elegance, artistry, and luxury, to find out more<br />
please see page 170.<br />
Find out more - https://visitsetubal.<strong>com</strong>/en/front-page_en/<br />
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Casa da Baia<br />
Portugal | The Award for Excellence in Branding<br />
Located in the heart of Setubal, the Casa da Baia is so much more than a<br />
typical historic building it appears to be, in fact this elegant structure<br />
serves as the business card for the whole city and surrounding area.<br />
The 18th century building is the home of the official tourist<br />
centre and information hub of the region, on hand and ready<br />
to provide an abundance of knowledge for anyone who is<br />
interested exploring the city. There is a vast wealth of<br />
materials on offer for tourists such as details related to<br />
tours, points of interest, workshops, general leaflets,<br />
and area maps. Should you not find what you need,<br />
the team on hand and are more than happy to<br />
go the extra mile to make sure your query<br />
is resolved. Whether it be advice on local<br />
places to eat, attraction, transport tips<br />
or general information on the area, the<br />
staff are highly trained, resourceful<br />
and most of all passionate.<br />
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As well as acting as a tourist centre the<br />
building is also a specialist wine area with a<br />
wine cellar housing and promoting bottles of<br />
all the producers in the region. You of course<br />
have an option to buy from the on-site shop<br />
or simply enjoy a glass from the cafeteria,<br />
the ideal place to sample some of the local<br />
delicacies.<br />
On top of this the space inside the building is<br />
used for regular cultural and artistic exhibits<br />
thus providing the perfect opportunity to take<br />
in a bit Setubal without going too far. This is<br />
indeed true when it <strong>com</strong>es to the building<br />
itself which was built upon roman ruins of<br />
which remnants remain.<br />
To get the most out of your journey to Setubal<br />
we re<strong>com</strong>mend starting at the Casa Da Baia!<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Avenida Luisa Todi, 468, Setubal,<br />
Setubal 2900-456, Portugal<br />
Tel +351 265 545 010<br />
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RM Guest House<br />
Portugal | Guest House<br />
The RM Guest House, located in the elegant city of Setubal, is the realisation<br />
of a wish to create a unique, distinctive, and somewhat sophisticated<br />
place to set about the redefinition of the ac<strong>com</strong>modation experience in<br />
Portugal. Custom made furniture, characteristic design pieces and even<br />
a cute yellow pig make this house your home. A place where you can<br />
leave your troubles at the door, feel wel<strong>com</strong>e and at peace.<br />
The seven beautifully decorated suites are a reflection and a<br />
tribute to a definitive fashion icon or style that influences every<br />
little detail and aspect of the room while at the same time<br />
ensuring a <strong>com</strong>fortable experience. Our personal favourite<br />
is without a doubt suite no. 5, a subtle and touching<br />
tribute to Coco Chanel who famously favoured the<br />
number 5 as lucky and so should every guest lucky<br />
enough to stay here. The restored wooden floors,<br />
Portuguese sheets, handmade towels, Molton<br />
Brown amenities, air conditioning, cotton<br />
robes, flat screen TV and powerful espresso<br />
machines create a relaxed environment<br />
that no one would ever want to leave.<br />
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Every guest is wel<strong>com</strong>ed in person by warm<br />
and friendly hosts along with a glass of<br />
Moscatel de Setúbal, a sweet, delicious,<br />
and locally sourced fortified wine. Excellent<br />
service is part of DNA at RM guest house<br />
and the team is dedicated to going above<br />
and beyond to ensure guests have a joyful<br />
experience. This includes free bicycle hire so<br />
you can explore the locale and if you wish to<br />
do more staff are more than happy to arrange<br />
a plethora of activities like helicopter tours,<br />
dolphin watching, yacht tour, oceanarium<br />
tickets, sightseeing tours, horseback riding,<br />
bird watching, canoeing and restaurant<br />
reservations.<br />
A stay at the RM Guest house is one you will<br />
never forget!<br />
Avenida Luisa<br />
Todi 59, 2900-424<br />
Setúbal, Portugal<br />
Tel +351 265 400 119<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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Portugal<br />
3 New Experiences<br />
to Try<br />
New experiences should always be a requirement<br />
on any trip abroad. After all what is travelling if<br />
not an opportunity to learn, grow as a person, and<br />
make fond memories. All of these are possible when<br />
you try something unique, visit somewhere special,<br />
or go out of your <strong>com</strong>fort zone. In Portugal there are<br />
ample opportunities to do this that are exclusive to<br />
the country, and we’ve picked out three of the best.<br />
174
Spend an evening in a Fado Club<br />
Fado is a form of traditional music<br />
that is unique, meaningful, and<br />
symbolic to Portugal much like<br />
Samba is to Brazil, Ranchera is to<br />
Mexico, or like jazz to Louisiana in<br />
the USA. Fado can be traced back to<br />
Lisbon in the 1820’s and is popular<br />
today as it ever has been.<br />
An evening at a Fado club is the<br />
ultimate authentic experience in<br />
Portugal. Normally Fado is performed<br />
with three people one on vocals, a<br />
second on a classical guitar and a<br />
third on a Portuguese guitar, songs<br />
are traditionally melancholic.<br />
We re<strong>com</strong>mend paying a visit to<br />
the beautiful Casa de Linhares to<br />
experience Fado.<br />
http://<strong>www</strong>.casadelinhares.<strong>com</strong>/<br />
Feast on Pastel de Nata<br />
Chances you’ve probably had a<br />
dessert similar to Portugal’s Pastel<br />
de Nata, after all it’s just a pastry<br />
crust filled with egg custard that’s<br />
available all over. However, when<br />
you try the Portuguese version,<br />
you’ll quickly realise there isn’t an<br />
egg custard tart in the world that<br />
can quite <strong>com</strong>pete.<br />
In Portugal, these pastels are<br />
available on every street corner,<br />
great pride is taken in preparation,<br />
different places will have their own<br />
secret ingredient but as a rule they’re<br />
generally topped off with cinnamon.<br />
For an in-depth Pastel De Nata<br />
experience check out a dedicated<br />
cooking class available -https://<br />
lisboncookingacademy.<strong>com</strong>/en/<br />
courses/pastel-nata/<br />
Dark Sky Viewing<br />
This one is a different, it will require<br />
you to venture out into rural Portugal<br />
and possibly stay out all night, but<br />
it’ll be worth it as the experience<br />
itself is breath taking. Dark Sky<br />
viewing in Alqueva is unparalleled,<br />
so much so in fact that this was<br />
the first destination in the world to<br />
be certified as a “starlight tourism<br />
destination” meaning light pollution<br />
is extremely low, visibility excellent,<br />
and perfect climate to view the<br />
stars.<br />
Check out the next page for our<br />
extensive profile on Dark Sky<br />
Alqueva.<br />
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Dark Sky<br />
Portugal | Learning Experience<br />
A<br />
perfect beautiful starry night is a rare thing so much so in fact that there<br />
are only a handful of certified destinations in <strong>Europe</strong> that can offer the,<br />
the first to be certified and probably the most exquisite is Dark Sky Alqueva.<br />
Located in the Alentejo region of Portugal Alqueva is a wonderful and<br />
accessible place to see the stars, constellations, the Milky Way, and<br />
distant galaxies. Conditions in Alqueva are ideal, light pollution is at a<br />
minimum and the climate is warm.<br />
So, should you decide that your next trip to Portugal will<br />
include a spot of night viewing then who better to guide you<br />
than the president of the Dark Sky Association, Apolónia<br />
Rodrigues. Apolónia is an experienced and awardwinning<br />
professional with an excellent background in<br />
sustainable tourism.<br />
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Tell us a little bit about yourself. And what led you to founding Dark<br />
Sky?<br />
My professional career began in 1998, before I <strong>com</strong>pleted my university studies<br />
in Tourism Management and Planning. I started with a public entity that was<br />
linked to tourism, and soon after I had an international project, which made<br />
me understand which path I would like to follow. In 2007 I chose a different<br />
path from working in public authorities and requested unpaid leave in order<br />
to develop what I loved most, development of sustainable and integrated<br />
destinations <strong>com</strong>bined with future tourism trends in demand. To follow my<br />
passion I develop my own model and in that same year I begin creating Dark<br />
Sky® Alqueva. Opposition arose when choosing the night sky as a resource<br />
for tourism, as locally it was considered a negative point of the region, the loss<br />
of population. An area with little population and widely dispersed urban zones<br />
provided a restraint in the growth of public lighting, and as such it provided a<br />
low level of light pollution. A destination needs a strong element that is capable<br />
of driving towards sustainable development, but that at the same time allows<br />
it to differentiate itself in the global market. Thus, in the Alqueva the night sky<br />
appeared. And with it, the creation of the concept and destination brand Dark<br />
Sky®, the first one being Dark Sky® Alqueva.<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
Dark Sky® Alqueva<br />
Official Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory<br />
Rua de Nossa Senhora da Conceição S/N, Cumeada<br />
7200-071 Campo Rmz<br />
Tel + 351 91 310 35 40<br />
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What is it about Alqueva that makes it such<br />
a perfect destination?<br />
Dark Sky® Alqueva <strong>com</strong>bines a night sky of<br />
exceptional quality with diversified and excellent<br />
tourism offer, together with natural beauty and<br />
rich material and intangible Heritage. At just<br />
over 1H30 away from an international airport it is<br />
possible to find a destination with an impressive<br />
night sky where one can observe the Milky Way,<br />
our great cosmic home, with the unaided eye.<br />
With cutting-edge telescopes for solar and<br />
astronomical observations, one can embark<br />
on a unique visual experience from observing<br />
planets, the craters of the Moon, passing<br />
through the deep sky on a cosmic journey<br />
through nebulae, galaxies and star clusters<br />
which rise above in one of the best skies in the<br />
world. In addition to the activities developed<br />
by Dark Sky®, a Network of Official Partners<br />
was created. Within the Network, the Official<br />
Partners include ac<strong>com</strong>modation, restaurants,<br />
handicrafts and regional products, guided tours<br />
and night and daytime entertainment activities,<br />
who are all prepared to meet the needs of<br />
astrotourists. It is without a doubt a <strong>com</strong>plete<br />
destination between the sky and Earth.<br />
178
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of visiting?<br />
My advice is to stay among us at least four days to be able to enjoy the night and day<br />
of Dark Sky® Alqueva calmly. I propose a <strong>com</strong>bination of stargazing in the Official<br />
Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, astrophotography with Miguel Claro, night canoeing<br />
and a night walk or a run with a day boat trip, long meals, visiting our castles,<br />
monuments and beautiful villages or just resting in the vast fields, near the Great<br />
Alqueva Lake, or close to the pool with a nice glass of Alentejo wine or a gin which is<br />
also produced locally.<br />
Are there any activities you’d re<strong>com</strong>mend?<br />
Dark Sky® Alqueva offers a range of astronomical observation activities with the<br />
unaided eye or with telescopes, which can be held at the Official Dark Sky® Alqueva<br />
Observatory in Cumeada, or in any part of the certified territory, always with a Dark<br />
Sky® Guide. In addition to these activities, other <strong>com</strong>plimentary activities were<br />
created and developed which can be carried out both at night and during the day,<br />
such as walking tours that mix heritage and nature, canoeing, Solar System Yoga,<br />
horse riding, photographic tours and workshops, wine tours and normal and blind<br />
wine tasting, team building, orientation, bird watching, wildlife watching, among<br />
many others upon request. Among the activities that can be carried out at night, we<br />
emphasize the astrophotography workshops, which can be in a private 1-to-1 format<br />
or in group, held by the international astrophotographer Miguel Claro.<br />
From daytime experiences, we emphasize the boat trips on the Alqueva Lake, fishing,<br />
the Sunset Dark Sky® which <strong>com</strong>prises of a solar observation with a solar telescope<br />
ac<strong>com</strong>panied with Sharish Gin, wine or a non-alcoholic cocktail, and the hot air<br />
balloon trip at sunrise or sunset. These are a few of the most sought after activities<br />
but our team and our partners are always available and open to new ideas and to<br />
tailor made programs.<br />
179
United Kingdom<br />
<br />
180
Birminghan, United Kingdom<br />
181
Scotland<br />
Water is the life-blood that flows through<br />
and around Scotland. It’s what makes its<br />
beloved landscape so special, its whisky so tasty<br />
and its water sports so much fun.<br />
<strong>2021</strong> continues Scotland’s Year of Coasts and<br />
Waters, celebrating the country’s diverse coastal<br />
scenery and waterways, from dramatic cliffs, sea<br />
stacks and gleaming white beaches, to lochs<br />
steeped in history and rivers and canals that have<br />
contributed so much to Scotland’s culture and<br />
heritage.<br />
Scotland’s magnificent coastline runs to around<br />
10,000 km and there are over 30,000 lochs and<br />
lochans with miles of winding rivers to discover.<br />
And while Scotland waits to wel<strong>com</strong>e visitors from<br />
all over the world, all this will be here for visitors<br />
when the time is right…<br />
182
Natural environment and Wildlife<br />
Sculpted by volcanoes, glaciers and the<br />
weather, some of Scotland’s landscape<br />
is over 3 billion years old - you really have<br />
to see it to believe it. Glaciers have carved<br />
out beautiful lochs in Scotland, some<br />
deeper than our inshore seas, which are<br />
home to wel<strong>com</strong>ing <strong>com</strong>munities and<br />
the odd monster!<br />
Along Scotland’s coastline, you’ll find<br />
some of the world’s best beaches with<br />
sweeping pristine white sands against<br />
clear azure blue waters. Embrace the<br />
beauty of the Outer Hebrides or the<br />
Highlands, or venture east to Angus,<br />
Fife or East Lothian and dip a toe in!<br />
And don’t forget the beautiful nature<br />
reserves across the country, home to a<br />
tremendous variety of flora, fauna and<br />
wildlife.<br />
Whatever the season, Scotland’s coasts<br />
and waters are the ideal place for a natural<br />
high and a wildlife experience should be<br />
part of any trip here, no matter where<br />
you go! 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, osprey<br />
fly thousands of miles from west Africa<br />
to raise their chicks, while resident<br />
bottlenose dolphin pods and whales rise<br />
from the deep to frolic in the crashing<br />
waves.<br />
The vivid golds and coppers of autumn<br />
signal the arrival of thousands of<br />
migrant geese in their familiar ‘v’ shaped<br />
squadrons, while powerful Atlantic<br />
Salmon can be spotted leaping as they<br />
return to their original spawning rivers.<br />
And between late September and late<br />
November, seals pull up along our shores<br />
to give birth to adorable and furry pups.<br />
183
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 />
184
Activities and Adventure<br />
Our seas, shores, lochs and rivers are an<br />
amazing playground for those that thrive in<br />
the great outdoors. Whether you’re surfing<br />
Atlantic swells, fishing some of <strong>Europe</strong>’s finest<br />
rivers, sea-kayaking along the west coast,<br />
or enjoying a refreshing coastal walk, there’s<br />
plenty to take your breath away!<br />
Scotland’s gorges, rivers and lochs are perfect<br />
for a huge range of thrilling watersports. With<br />
a wetsuit, and ‘can-do’ attitude, try canyoning<br />
in Highland Perthshire, Lochaber or Dumfries<br />
& Galloway, or go whitewater rafting on<br />
the rivers Findhorn, Moriston, Orchy, Tay or<br />
Tummel. Try stand-up paddle boarding, the<br />
trendiest watersport of the moment or go<br />
‘old school’ and find some of <strong>Europe</strong>’s finest<br />
surfing spots in Scotland. Sea-kayaking is an<br />
amazing way to see our coast in a new way.<br />
If you’re starting out, join a group paddling<br />
amongst the Arisaig Skerries. The sea there is<br />
often calm and you might see basking seals<br />
pulled up on the white sandy beaches - an<br />
incredibe experience. Skilled paddlers can<br />
choose a section of the 500 km Scottish Sea<br />
Kayak Trail, which runs from the Isle of Gigha<br />
to the Summer Isles.<br />
If you’ve ever dreamed of navigating a yacht around idyllic islands<br />
or gliding gracefully across a misty loch, there can be no better time<br />
than Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters to plan a sailing trip for<br />
next year. Whether you’re a landlubber keen to learn the secrets of<br />
the sea, or an experienced skipper looking for a ‘bareboat’ charter -<br />
Scotland offers some of the finest sailing experiences in the world.<br />
185
Food and Drink<br />
When it <strong>com</strong>es to feeding the nation and<br />
many of our <strong>Europe</strong>an and global friends,<br />
Scotland’s coasts and waters are vitally<br />
important.<br />
Scotland lands over two-thirds of the<br />
world’s langoustines and is the largest fish<br />
producer in <strong>Europe</strong>. Thankfully however,<br />
much of this delicious seafood, regarded<br />
by many as amongst the best in the world,<br />
stays in Scotland. You’ll find it in fine<br />
seafood shacks and fish and chip shops<br />
around the coast as well as on restaurant<br />
menus across the country.<br />
The quality of our water is also important<br />
when it <strong>com</strong>es to our other major export<br />
- whisky - uisge beatha - the water of<br />
life. Water from natural springs, rivers and<br />
lochs, <strong>com</strong>bined with malted barley and<br />
aged in oak casks, have a clear influence<br />
on the taste - this can differ between<br />
whisky regions and the 120, and growing,<br />
whisky distilleries that you’ll find here.<br />
186
A message from VisitScotland<br />
Whilst some travel restrictions remain in<br />
place around the world, we want to send a<br />
message of support and hope to our friends<br />
around the world. We want to assure them<br />
that, whilst they can’t visit just now, we will<br />
still be here with a warm wel<strong>com</strong>e for them<br />
when the time is right.<br />
Dream now and visit VisitScotland.<strong>com</strong><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 />
187
The Mountain Men<br />
Scotland - UK |<br />
The Award for Excellence in Service<br />
From humble beginnings as a small group raising money for charity, T.M.M.<br />
Experiences (formally The Mountain Men) has quickly be<strong>com</strong>e Scotland’s<br />
Premier Wild Camp Specialist. Currently they offer several experiences, all<br />
developed and built upon by the work of a knowledgeable and dedicated<br />
team led by former soldier and outdoorsman Ritchie Nash. Their all<br />
inclusive wild camping experiences allow you to travel light as T.M.M.<br />
supply the equipment you need.<br />
The Scottish Experience<br />
Scotland is a beautiful country and with the Scottish<br />
Experience you get to see so much more of it than you would<br />
on a standard run of the mill tour. With this Experience<br />
you get a fantastic opportunity to get up close and<br />
personal with the rugged landscape while camping in<br />
<strong>com</strong>fortable and modern tents. All the equipment is<br />
supplied and carried by the T.M.M. team allowing<br />
you the freedom to take in the sights. You can<br />
choose between the Skye Experience, the<br />
Arran Experience, the North Coast 500<br />
Experience or even tailor an experience<br />
to suit your preferences.<br />
188
The Backpacker Experience<br />
As the name suggests this experience is all centred around<br />
backpacking and differs from the Scottish Experience in that<br />
you are carrying your backpack for a short spell, this allows us<br />
to access some of the more remote and wonderful locations<br />
hidden to most tourists. A typical backpack weighs only 12kg<br />
and contains everything you need. This Experience will involve<br />
a short hike to a camp location and once there the freedom to<br />
explore your surroundings or just relax around the campfire<br />
whichever you prefer. Currently on offer there is the West<br />
Highland Way Experience, the Lochs and Islands Experience<br />
and the Mystery Experience for which your destination always<br />
remains a pleasant surprise. A member of the T.M.M. team will<br />
be on hand at all times.<br />
189
The Outlander Experience<br />
This is a movie tour with a difference. Spend four days<br />
submerged in the land of the Jacobite’s, whilst visiting<br />
several locations from the hit TV show Outlander. Sleep out<br />
in the wild like the warriors of yesterday, immerse yourself in<br />
the passion that is Scotland. This Experience includes entry<br />
to four main attractions from the series including Culloden<br />
Visitor Centre and Battlefield.<br />
Hill Navigation Training<br />
When not operating their Experiences and under their<br />
original name of The Mountain Men, two excellent courses<br />
are available. The low cost but highly effective courses<br />
are designed to give back and build both the skills and the<br />
confidence of walkers. The main course is The Hill Navigation<br />
& Safety Course which covers all aspects of safety on the<br />
hills including what kit to carry, how to deal with emergency<br />
situations and how to navigate in any conditions. The second<br />
course is the Winter Navigation Course and is more of a<br />
confidence booster to show candidates that the skills they<br />
have learned really do work in all conditions. The Mountain<br />
Men travel all over Scotland providing these courses.<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
2nd Floor, Clyde Offices, 48 West George<br />
Street, Glasgow, G2 1BP<br />
Tel +44 0141 482 7005<br />
190
Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, United Kingdom<br />
191
The Beauty of the<br />
Lake District<br />
There are very few places in the United Kingdom that<br />
can <strong>com</strong>pete with the Lake District when it <strong>com</strong>es to<br />
natural beauty and heritage. The Lake District is a national<br />
park located in the north-west of England and covers an<br />
area of over 2000 square kilometres.<br />
The district is known as the home of several beautiful<br />
lakes, but you’ll also find rugged fell mountains, traditional<br />
market towns, enchanting forests, a variety of wildlife,<br />
hiking paths, mountain biking trails, steam railways, and<br />
cruises.<br />
Windermere remains the most popular town and tends<br />
to be used as a base for a lot of visitors, here you’ll find<br />
restaurants, café’s, shops, heritage attraction, and the<br />
starting point for a lot of activities such as the lake cruises<br />
or hiking trails.<br />
192
Lovers of literature are in for a treat, the<br />
village of Hawkshead, a few miles west of<br />
Windermere, has important connections<br />
to both Beatrix Potter and William<br />
Wordsworth. The serene setting of the<br />
Lake District inspired much of Beatrix<br />
Potters work and William Wordsworth was<br />
schooled in Hawkshead. You can now visit<br />
the homes of both these literary geniuses.<br />
The further you head away from the main<br />
town the wilder and more dramatic the<br />
landscape be<strong>com</strong>es. Mountain passes,<br />
scurrying rivers, lush hills, and much<br />
more await on the many hiking trails. We<br />
re<strong>com</strong>mend the Buttermere walk, a flat<br />
and fairly <strong>com</strong>fortable circular route that<br />
is about four miles long.<br />
Although you will find several restaurants<br />
in the bigger towns, we suggest you visit a<br />
traditional pub for a more a local meal and<br />
experience. Sheep farming is <strong>com</strong>mon in<br />
the hills of the Lake District and in keeping<br />
with that Roast lamb is a local favourite.<br />
193
Birmingham<br />
Our One to Watch<br />
Birmingham, the second city, has seen a tourism<br />
resurgence in recent years, the city is seen as a<br />
good alternative to London, it’s much cheaper in terms of<br />
housing & living expenses, it has a thriving gastronomic<br />
scene, a pulsating city centre, brilliant nightlife, numerous<br />
shopping hubs, several attractions, fine boutique hotels,<br />
and its central location means its easy to get around the<br />
rest of the country. The imminent arrival of the highspeed<br />
HS2 train will make it much easier to live in Birmingham<br />
and <strong>com</strong>mute to London.<br />
194
Getting in and Getting Around<br />
Birmingham has its own international<br />
airport that is well connected via<br />
several major airlines. The city’s<br />
central location in the UK means it’s<br />
efficiently linked to the rest of the<br />
country via train (there are two main<br />
stations), bus, and driving in. A unique<br />
option is entering the city through<br />
its extensive canal network, visitors<br />
travelling by narrowboat can choose<br />
from several tourist moorings.<br />
There is a newly built tram system to<br />
get around the centre the city but if<br />
you’re venturing out both the bus<br />
and train systems within the city are<br />
decent. The train network is limited<br />
<strong>com</strong>pared to other major cities so it’s<br />
worth planning ahead as you may<br />
need to use a <strong>com</strong>bination of the<br />
two. Ofcourse several ride-sharing<br />
services are available such as Uber,<br />
Gett, and Bolt.<br />
195
Things To Do<br />
For a city that’s over a thousand year’s old Birmingham<br />
has a somewhat muted history. It was only really during<br />
the Victorian era that Birmingham became a big city.<br />
The city became an industrial centre and was dubbed<br />
“the workshop of the world”, to this end there are a few<br />
attractions focused on its industrial past. We re<strong>com</strong>mend<br />
visiting the Jewellery quarter, home to several jewellery<br />
shops that have been there for over a hundred years plus<br />
a museum. Soho house is another industrial era attraction,<br />
it was once the home of Matthew Boulton, who pioneered<br />
the industrial age in the city. For industrial architecture<br />
you should heading over to Digbeth and Deritend, the area<br />
is now a hub for creativity in the city.<br />
One of the most popular things to do in the city is to go<br />
on a tour of the Cadbury’s Chocolate factory, known as<br />
Cadbury world. The tour includes learning about the<br />
history of chocolate, the Cadbury <strong>com</strong>pany, and a brief<br />
look at the factory floor.<br />
The global popularity of the BBC television drama Peaky<br />
Blinders has led to interest in the city. Parts of the series<br />
is filmed in the city and there are several spots in the city<br />
that were once frequented by the Peaky Blinders. We<br />
re<strong>com</strong>mend going on a specialised tour with - https://<br />
<strong>www</strong>.peakytours.<strong>com</strong>/<br />
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Food<br />
When it <strong>com</strong>es to food Birmingham is a melting pot of<br />
different cuisines from around the world. You can find<br />
Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern, Chinese,<br />
Japanese, Polish, and Italian restaurants all over the city.<br />
However, there is one dish you ought to try and that is<br />
the Birmingham Balti. The Balti is a curry dish invented<br />
in the city in 1977 and is best enjoyed in a restaurant<br />
or Balti house located in the “Balti Triangle”. The name<br />
given to a cluster of restaurants along Ladypool Road,<br />
Stoney Lane, and Stratford Road. A taxi to the area will<br />
cost about £5.<br />
Ac<strong>com</strong>modation<br />
We re<strong>com</strong>mend the Hyatt Regency, a modern hotel that<br />
has stood the test of the time in the city. It’s centrally<br />
located, fully equipped with a gym, pool, and restaurant.<br />
It’s often the default choice for celebrities and world<br />
leaders.<br />
Find out more - https://visitbirmingham.<strong>com</strong>/<br />
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Iceland<br />
<br />
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Skógafoss, iceland<br />
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Rekjavik Top 5<br />
Tourism to Iceland is focused mainly its exciting capital Reykjavik, after all this<br />
is the only major city on the Island and is home to more than two thirds of<br />
the population. It is the perfect base to learn about the culture of Iceland, take<br />
part in activities, sample local cuisine, visit attractions, and to explore the rest of<br />
the country. There is a lot to do in and around Reykjavik and we’ve put together<br />
a list of 5 must do activities.<br />
Spend a Morning at the Blue Lagoon<br />
In a country well known for its geothermal pools the Blue Lagoon stands out as<br />
the most popular. This pristine pool is part of a centre that includes a modern<br />
hotel, vibrant on-site restaurants, and a <strong>com</strong>plete spa. The pool itself remains a<br />
balmy 40 °C all year round despite freezing conditions.<br />
Located only 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik and about 10 minutes from the<br />
airport, the Blue Lagoon can get extremely busy so its worth booking ahead.<br />
Therefore, we re<strong>com</strong>mend spending a morning there when its quieter and much<br />
more pleasant.<br />
Find out more - https://<strong>www</strong>.bluelagoon.<strong>com</strong>/<br />
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Visit the Icelandic<br />
Phallological Museum<br />
A weird attraction and a unique one<br />
for sure, this is the only museum in<br />
the world dedicated to penesis and<br />
Phallalogy. The museum is home to<br />
over 250 penesis from over 90 different<br />
species of animals including humans,<br />
bulls, a blue whale (the largest), hamster<br />
(the smallest) and even penesis of<br />
mythological creatures such as elves,<br />
trolls, and kelpies.<br />
There is a store on site selling all sorts<br />
of souvenirs, everything from designer<br />
condoms, tote bags, porcelain art, key<br />
rings, bottle openers, and sweets can<br />
be purchased. The entry cost is 2200ISK<br />
and the museum is open everyday from<br />
1pm to 6pm.<br />
Find out more - https://phallus.is/en/<br />
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Learn how to cook Icelandic<br />
Food<br />
Icelandic cuisine is growing in<br />
esteem and is more <strong>com</strong>monly<br />
noted as one of the key reasons to<br />
visit Iceland, many people want to<br />
try the food. Geothermally baked rye<br />
bread is spectacular, skyr yoghurt is<br />
tasteful, the locally smoked lamb is a<br />
delicacy, and of course seafood is a<br />
speciality all over.<br />
We re<strong>com</strong>mend taking this love of<br />
food one step further by learning<br />
to cook it yourself. Salt Eldhus<br />
is <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> award<br />
winning cooking school based<br />
in Reykjavik and has been going<br />
strong since 2012. Visitors can<br />
expect educational, interactive,<br />
and enjoyable cooking classes that<br />
offers an insightful opportunity to<br />
experience Icelandic cuisine, food<br />
tradition and local culture. Check out<br />
the following page to find out more.<br />
Descend down Þríhnúkagígur<br />
Þríhnúkagígur is a dormant volcano that last erupted over 4000 years ago.<br />
With no signs of eruption anytime soon the volcano has been opened for<br />
tourists to descend into the magma chamber. There is no other place in<br />
the world where this possible making this an activity special to Iceland. The<br />
magma chamber, often referred to as the heart of the volcano, is beautiful,<br />
and considered by many a geological wonder. If you’re claustrophobic we<br />
re<strong>com</strong>mend you give this one a miss as the journey to the chamber is 120<br />
metres underground.<br />
Book your trip now at https://insidethevolcano.<strong>com</strong>/<br />
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Tour the Golden Circle<br />
A breath-taking trip that takes you from Reykjavik to the south of Iceland and back again. This route is the perfect way<br />
to take in the natural beauty of rural Iceland and visit three major attractions. You can self-drive or go as part of a tour,<br />
either method has its own benefits.<br />
The first stop on this route is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site that is home to several cultural<br />
treasures and a canyon caused by the parting of the Eurasian and North American plates. The second stop is the<br />
spectacular Gullfoss waterfall, an iconic double waterfall that is over 32 metres high. The final stop on the Golden Circle<br />
is the geysers at Haukadalur, one of which, called Strokkur, can churn up water over 100 feet into the air.<br />
Find out more - https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/golden-circle<br />
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Salt Eldhus<br />
Iceland | Culinary Experience<br />
Icelandic cuisine has <strong>com</strong>e into its own in recent years. Traditionally this distinctive<br />
cuisine has been considered a functional reaction to the harsh realities and climate<br />
of Iceland’s position in the arctic circle. However, technological advancements,<br />
modern innovations and an increase in shared knowledge has led to the Iceland<br />
culinary scene blossoming over the past few decades to the point now where<br />
many visit Iceland simply to try the food. For this kind of experience there is no<br />
one better in Iceland than Salt Eldhus.<br />
Salt Eldhus offers an extraordinary Icelandic kitchen experience through<br />
educational, interactive, and enjoyable cooking classes. These cooking<br />
classes offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Icelandic<br />
cuisine and food traditions while at the same time learning about<br />
the culture and heritage of Iceland. Established in 2012 Salt<br />
Eldhus has been popular with tourists and locals alike, there is<br />
a distinct focus on the current trends, use of local produce,<br />
employment of trained chefs, a friendly atmosphere,<br />
and a well-equipped kitchen. All this <strong>com</strong>bined with<br />
the charismatic and expert leadership Mrs Sigridur<br />
Björk Bragadottir has led to Salt Eldhus be<strong>com</strong>ing<br />
one of the must do activities in Iceland.<br />
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The cook and dine class on offer is an open<br />
class that runs twice daily once for lunch and<br />
again once more for dinner. Along with an<br />
opportunity to learn how to cook, the class<br />
allows for a tasting session and follow up<br />
gourmet meal where Icelandic fish and lamb<br />
take centre stage. In this unique four hour<br />
experience guests are able to prepare and<br />
plate a three-course meal using fresh local<br />
ingredients, all under the supervision of a<br />
highly trained chef. Sampling local specialties<br />
is encouraged and to end the whole<br />
experience guests are awarded a recipe folder<br />
to take away what they’ve learnt.<br />
So, whether it’s your first time in Iceland or<br />
you’re a seasoned Icelandophile be sure to<br />
check out Salt Eldhus for a truly authentic,<br />
educational, and fabulous Icelandic<br />
experience.<br />
Þórunnartún 2 - 105<br />
Reykjavík<br />
Tel +354 551 0171<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
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AUSTRIA | LUXURY CHALETS
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY<br />
AWARD WINNER<br />
<strong>2021</strong><br />
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