Sojourn | Sovereign Magazine Summer 2022
In this issue, you will find out all about our recent feature in Channel 5’s Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean and you can read all about her island-hopping adventure, including the spectacular hotels she stayed at and the experiences she had. How many times have you got to the airport with that nagging feeling you have left something behind? Our Marketing Director, Erin Johnson shares her top tips in the article A Perfectly Packed Suitcase. We will also delve into the Greek Islands in our article The Great Debate. The Greek Islands are all so diverse and unique that it can seem impossible to choose which one is right for you. Why not let us help? Our Personal Travel Planners share their favourite island and which hotel they think is best.
In this issue, you will find out all about our recent feature in Channel 5’s Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean and you can read all about her island-hopping adventure, including the spectacular hotels she stayed at and the experiences she had.
How many times have you got to the airport with that nagging feeling you have left something behind? Our Marketing Director, Erin Johnson shares her top tips in the article A Perfectly Packed Suitcase.
We will also delve into the Greek Islands in our article The Great Debate. The Greek Islands are all so diverse and unique that it can seem impossible to choose which one is right for you. Why not let us help? Our Personal Travel Planners share their favourite island and which hotel they think is best.
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<strong>Sovereign</strong>.com<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong> issue<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel's magazine<br />
Holidaying with<br />
Jane McDonald<br />
The Caribbean<br />
The Great Debate<br />
The Greek Islands<br />
Out of this World<br />
Winter Sun Experiences<br />
in Lanzarote<br />
Best Beaches<br />
for <strong>2022</strong><br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
commitment<br />
Our<br />
to you<br />
At <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel, we are committed to working with trusted partners and making sure<br />
their hotels meet our standards to give you the peace of mind that you can holiday safely.<br />
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plans you can cancel your holiday up to<br />
three weeks before departure for free.<br />
Refund guarantee<br />
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we will refund you.<br />
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We will only offer you destinations<br />
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*Subject to change, correct at time of print as of 05/05/22. Please see website for latest Terms and Conditions.<br />
2 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
noun: a temporary stay<br />
verb (used without object ): to stay for a time in a place; live temporarily<br />
sow·Juhn<br />
BEACH LIFE | <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
Sun-soaked days await! We bring you the latest inspiration with<br />
another edition of the <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel magazine, SoJourn.<br />
There’s beaches, and then there’s beaches.<br />
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to<br />
visit some of the world’s best, and in this issue<br />
we celebrate the soft sands that imprint on<br />
our minds.<br />
Starting with our cover story, Holidaying with<br />
Jane McDonald: The Caribbean (page 8), our<br />
team takes you behind the scenes while filming<br />
the recent Channel 5 series. Off camera, from<br />
Barbados to Grenada, the beaches were much<br />
admired. We also share our Best Beaches for<br />
<strong>2022</strong> (page 46).<br />
In the Indian Ocean, our guest Lin Johnson<br />
shares her holiday memories when she went<br />
Into the Maldives (page 38), while we spotlight<br />
the Island Paradise that is the Seychelles<br />
Islands (page 42).<br />
Closer to home, we worship the Greek Islands,<br />
as we take you into pretty streets with a Day<br />
Out in Corfu Old Town (page 14), and where<br />
our Personal Travel Planners fight it out for their<br />
preferred island in The Great Debate (page<br />
19). Plus there’s all the untamed beauty of the<br />
Canary Islands, from Out of this World winter<br />
sun experiences in Lanzarote (page 28), to the<br />
unsung Canary of La Gomera (page 40)!<br />
And, how can we forget Portugal? A favourite<br />
of mine that remains constantly delightful.<br />
Discover more in Welcome to the Algarve<br />
(page 24).<br />
We’ve been helping guests for 50 years,<br />
yet our luxury holidays remain the same:<br />
tailor-made with personalised 24/7 service<br />
and perks at every stage of the journey.<br />
And, if plans change, there’s always our<br />
Book with Confidence guarantee.<br />
It’s time to wipe the cobwebs from your suitcase<br />
- and you can now pack it perfectly with<br />
Erin’s tips (page 12)! Where will you go with<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel this summer?<br />
Helen Adamson<br />
Managing Director<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong>.com<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
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BEACH LIFE<br />
COVER FEATURE<br />
8 Join<br />
Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean<br />
We were thrilled to be involved in the recent Channel 5 series.<br />
us as we take you behind the scenes of Jane’s trip of a lifetime!<br />
INSIDE<br />
OUR SUMMER<br />
<strong>2022</strong> EDITION<br />
14<br />
A Day in Corfu<br />
Old Town<br />
24<br />
Welcome to<br />
the Algarve<br />
6<br />
Where Will<br />
You Go in <strong>2022</strong>?<br />
Destination Map<br />
17<br />
Seek the Real<br />
Greek Experience<br />
With Grecotel<br />
Hotels & Resorts<br />
25<br />
From Farm to Fork<br />
with VILA VITA<br />
Parc Resort & Spa<br />
8<br />
Holidaying with<br />
Jane McDonald:<br />
The Caribbean<br />
19<br />
The Great<br />
Debate: The<br />
Greek Islands<br />
26<br />
Wildlife<br />
Adventures<br />
in Antigua<br />
12<br />
A Perfectly<br />
Packed Suitcase<br />
22<br />
Welcome to<br />
Domes Lake<br />
Algarve<br />
28<br />
Out of this<br />
World: Winter<br />
Sun Experiences<br />
in Lanzarote<br />
ABTA No.V4068<br />
<strong>Sojourn</strong> is a publication of <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel | <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com<br />
Travel with Confidence | customer.relations@sovereign.com<br />
Managing Director: Helen Adamson<br />
Publisher: Madhatter Creative Co. – Jen Marsden<br />
Design: K8 Design & Marketing Ltd – James Palmer<br />
Front cover image: The Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados (Ellie Harding)<br />
Connect with us<br />
4 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
• Private & Tailormade Holidays<br />
• Handpicked Accommodation & Destinations<br />
• Small Group Escorted Tours<br />
Citalia.com<br />
CONTENTS<br />
KEY FEATURES<br />
19<br />
The Great Debate<br />
The Greek Islands are all so<br />
diverse and unique, how do<br />
you choose where to go? We<br />
thought we’d ask our Personal<br />
Travel Planners to fight it out!<br />
26<br />
Wildlife Adventures<br />
in Antigua<br />
Pause to reconnect with the<br />
natural world in the wonderfully<br />
wild side of the Caribbean.<br />
28<br />
Out of this World<br />
Lanzarote’s untamed<br />
and dramatic wilderness<br />
makes for amazing winter<br />
sun experiences.<br />
40<br />
La Gomera: The Hidden<br />
Canary Island<br />
Discover the unsung<br />
Canary Island of La Gomera,<br />
which boasts old-world<br />
Canarian charm.<br />
42 Island Paradise: 46 Best Beaches for <strong>2022</strong><br />
The Seychelles Islands<br />
Soak your toes into the<br />
Breathe in bliss with a<br />
finest golden sands,<br />
barefoot luxury experience<br />
as we share our favourite<br />
that delights with adventure,<br />
destinations for <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
wildlife, and heritage.<br />
32<br />
Secrets of a<br />
Hotelier with<br />
Amara Cyprus<br />
40<br />
La Gomera:<br />
The Hidden<br />
Canary Island<br />
46<br />
Best Beaches<br />
for <strong>2022</strong><br />
34<br />
Find your<br />
Natural Spa<br />
42<br />
Island Paradise:<br />
The Seychelles<br />
49<br />
Luxury, Redefined<br />
with Blue Palace<br />
36<br />
Our Pick: Rooms<br />
with a View<br />
44<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> Spirit<br />
with Sheraton<br />
Rhodes Resort<br />
50<br />
Why <strong>Sovereign</strong><br />
Luxury Travel<br />
38<br />
Guest Story:<br />
Into the Maldives<br />
with Lin Johnson<br />
45<br />
Eat Away at<br />
Eagles Palace<br />
& Villas<br />
51<br />
Discover our<br />
sister brands<br />
Images courtesy of: Amara Hotel, Cyprus, Anantara Vilamoura, Portugal, Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society Inc, Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa, Kos, Blue Palace, Crete, Casale Panayiotis Traditional Village Hotel & Spa, Troodos<br />
Mountains, Coyaba Beach Resort, Grenada, Curtain Bluff, Antigua, Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Crete, Domes Aulus Zante, Domes Resorts & Reserves (Domes Lake Algarve), Donkey Sanctuary (Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society<br />
Inc), Eagles Palace & Villas (Heinz Troll /Stef Tsakiris), Elite Suites, Rhodes, Ellie Harding (Caribbean), Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, Forte Village, Sardinia, Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Caesius Thermae & SPA Resort, Hotel Jardín<br />
Tecina, Imran Ahmad, Chris Close, Michel Denousse, Ennio Maffei, Chris Mason Parker (The Seychelles Islands), Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Maldives, Lin Johnson (Maldives), LUX* Belle<br />
Mare, Mauritius, Marbella Elix, Parga, Raffles Seychelles, Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa, Fuerteventura, Sheraton Rhodes Resort, Shutterstock, Silversands, Grenada, Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St Lucia, The Fairmont Royal Pavilion,<br />
Barbados, VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa, Portugal.<br />
Prices are estimations based on <strong>2022</strong>/2023 travel and are correct at going to print but are subject to change. Please note that any flight or travel times included are approximations.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
WHERE IN<br />
THE WORLD<br />
will you go ?<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel offers bespoke luxury holidays in over<br />
22 countries and almost 100 destinations across the globe.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
Po<br />
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Bb<br />
St<br />
St Lucia<br />
• Labrelotte Bay<br />
• Soufrière<br />
Mx<br />
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Mexico<br />
• Cancun<br />
• Playa Mujeres<br />
• Riviera Cancun<br />
• Riviera Maya<br />
Jamaica<br />
• Montego Bay<br />
Do Dominican Republic<br />
• Punta Cana<br />
• Uvero Alto<br />
An Antigua<br />
• Jolly Harbour<br />
• St. John’s<br />
• St. Mary’s<br />
Gn<br />
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• Eau Piquant<br />
Grenada<br />
• Grand Anse Beach<br />
• L'Anse Aux Epines<br />
Barbados<br />
• Christ Church<br />
• St. James<br />
6 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
DESTINATION MAP<br />
Cr<br />
Croatia<br />
Tu<br />
Turkey<br />
Po<br />
Portugal<br />
• Dubrovnik<br />
• Belek<br />
• Algarve<br />
• Split<br />
• Lisbon Coast<br />
• Hvar<br />
• Rovinj<br />
• Trogir<br />
Mo<br />
Morocco<br />
• Atlas Mountains<br />
• Essaouira<br />
Pi<br />
Portuguese Islands<br />
• Madeira<br />
Cy<br />
Cyprus<br />
• Latchi<br />
• Limassol<br />
• Paphos<br />
• Pissouri<br />
• Troodos Mountains<br />
Gr<br />
• Marrakech<br />
Greece<br />
• Halkidiki<br />
• Athenian Riviera<br />
• Parga<br />
• Peloponnese<br />
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Spain & Spanish Islands<br />
Spain:<br />
• Costa Del Sol<br />
Balaeric Islands:<br />
• Menorca<br />
It Italy<br />
Lakes:<br />
• Lake Como<br />
• Lake Garda<br />
• Lake Maggiore<br />
Regions:<br />
• Liguria<br />
• Neapolitan Riviera<br />
• Puglia<br />
• Sardinia<br />
Gi<br />
Greek Islands<br />
• Corfu<br />
• Crete<br />
• Kefalonia<br />
• Kos<br />
• Mykonos<br />
• Rhodes<br />
• Santorini<br />
• Skiathos<br />
• Zakynthos<br />
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• Majorca<br />
• Ibiza<br />
Canary Islands<br />
• Fuerteventura<br />
• Gran Canaria<br />
• Lanzarote<br />
• Tenerife<br />
• La Gomera<br />
Maldives<br />
It<br />
Cr<br />
Mn<br />
• Sicily<br />
• Tuscany<br />
Ma<br />
Mn<br />
Malta<br />
• Gozo<br />
• St Julians<br />
• Valetta<br />
Montenegro<br />
Mr<br />
Mauritius<br />
• Belle Mare<br />
• Bel Ombre<br />
• Flic En Flac<br />
• Trou d’Eau Douce<br />
Ma<br />
Gr<br />
Gi<br />
Tu<br />
Cy<br />
Un<br />
United Arab Emirates<br />
• Abu Dhabi<br />
• Dubai<br />
Se<br />
Seychelles<br />
• Félicité Island<br />
• Mahé<br />
• Praslin<br />
• Ras Al Khaimah<br />
• Silhouette Island<br />
Th<br />
Thailand<br />
Bl<br />
Bali<br />
Un<br />
• Bangkok<br />
• Chiang Mai<br />
• Khao Lak<br />
• Khao Sok<br />
• Nusa Dua<br />
• Sanur<br />
• Seminyak<br />
• Ubud<br />
• Koh Phangan<br />
• Koh Samui<br />
• Krabi<br />
Th<br />
• Phuket<br />
• Koh Yao Islands<br />
Ml<br />
Se<br />
Bl<br />
Mr<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
Holidaying with Jane McDonald:<br />
The Caribbean<br />
Did you watch Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean on<br />
Channel 5? Well, <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel were thrilled to be featured<br />
in this series and our Marketing Executive, Ellie Harding, was with Jane<br />
throughout the filming, island-hopping across the Caribbean with her.<br />
Join us as we take you behind the scenes of Jane’s trip of a lifetime and<br />
highlight the special experiences you too can enjoy as our guest!<br />
BARBADOS<br />
The first stop on Jane’s luxurious Caribbean island-hopping holiday<br />
was Barbados. This island is a fabulous introduction into the<br />
Caribbean, with its happy and welcoming spirit.<br />
Speaking of spirit, one of the absolute musts of your Barbados holiday<br />
is to embrace the rum culture at the 350-year-old St. Nicolas Abbey<br />
where Jane had a rum tasting experience.<br />
“We all took the heritage steam railway up to Cherry Tree Hill,<br />
which not only has amazing views across Barbados, but also had<br />
some charming stalls to explore at the summit," says Ellie. "I highly<br />
recommend you cool off with a fresh coconut to drink!”<br />
With the waves of the Caribbean Sea lapping up onto this island<br />
nation, it’s no surprise that many of the activities here involved water.<br />
Jane took a trip on a catamaran where she was able to go snorkelling<br />
with sea turtles and had the chance to visit an old shipwreck.<br />
“Tiffany, who is incidentally The Fairmont Royal Pavillion’s yoga<br />
instructor, invited Jane to a yoga class with a difference: yoga on a<br />
paddleboard!” reveals Ellie. “Jane did an excellent job balancing on<br />
the boards, but I stuck to Tiffany's on land sessions!”<br />
In order to further explore the island, Jane took a 4x4 jeep ride excursion<br />
that took her across mixed terrains to discover several hidden gems,<br />
including Edge Cliff, Bathsheba, Joe’s River Forest, and Little Bay.<br />
One of the pit stops was Animal Flower Cave, which despite its<br />
unusual name is a large waterside cave that can be accessed by<br />
steps leading to a coral floor, where you’ll find natural rock plunge<br />
pools. Jane, like most of our guests, took the opportunity to go<br />
swimming here among brightly-coloured sea anemones.<br />
While taking a break from filming, Ellie headed north of Holetown<br />
to enjoy lunch at Local & Co in Speightstown, a farm to fork eatery.<br />
“The marketplace at Local & Co was amazing," says Ellie, “It was hard<br />
to say no to the homemade and often unique produce available for<br />
sale, such as banana and rum jam and watermelon rind pickle.”<br />
One night, Jane dropped into Harbour Lights, an open-air club<br />
in Carlisle Bay, with renowned Caribbean Dinner Shows. The<br />
entertainment here is always soul-stirring, with live music, stilt walkers,<br />
fire eaters and limbo dancers, plus there’s free-flowing drinks and a<br />
traditional Bajan-style BBQ dinner to tuck into. The perfect place for all<br />
the family to party under the stars? You be the judge!<br />
Jane experienced a tranquil sunset dinner at Lone Star, which is known<br />
for its celebrity clientele.“You never know who you're going to run into<br />
here, which adds to its allure, and the beachfront setting offers some<br />
of the best sunsets on the island.” says Ellie.<br />
Our top recommendation? A holiday in Barbados is incomplete without<br />
a visit to the institution that is Tides Restaurant, where Ellie and the<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel team enjoyed dinner one night. It’s a charming<br />
post-WW2 home with impeccable sea views, local coral stone and<br />
mahogany decor, not to mention a mouthwatering menu, from<br />
Caribbean grilled lobster to jerk-spiced cauliflower. While there, feast<br />
your eyes on vibrant artwork from talented Caribbean artists.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Jane stayed in the Beachfront Junior Suite at The Fairmont<br />
Royal Pavilion in St. James. The hotel boasts guaranteed<br />
sea views from every room. Relish the access to soft white<br />
sands where you can enjoy complimentary non-motorised<br />
watersports in turquoise waters, or enjoy a yoga session<br />
overlooking the Caribbean Sea.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at The Fairmont Royal Pavilion<br />
in Barbados, starts from £2,439 per person.<br />
8<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
COVER STORY<br />
The Pitons, St Lucia<br />
ST LUCIA<br />
Framed by the dramatic mountains of the Pitons, St Lucia is a dreamy<br />
Caribbean paradise.<br />
Jane took a boat ride, arranged by her resort BodyHoliday, to witness<br />
the beautiful Piton peaks. Along the way, she stopped at the historic<br />
landmark of Marigot Bay, which is where both the 1967 adaptation of<br />
the Doctor Dolittle books, and scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean<br />
were filmed. Jane also visited the island’s famous sulphur springs and<br />
mud baths (see more on page 34).<br />
The original Love Island, St Lucia is a popular destination for<br />
weddings, honeymoons and plain old romance, so Jane embraced<br />
the island’s amorous nature with an opportunity to attend a vow<br />
renewal ceremony.<br />
Jane and team headed to the popular Rodney Bay, home to a<br />
yacht-lined marina and a waterpark. North of there, they visited<br />
Cas En Bas Beach, a well-known spot for kitesurfing and horse<br />
riding. It’s here that they enjoyed a drink at the St Lucian institution,<br />
Marjorie's Restaurant and Beach Bar, with its funky community vibe<br />
and marvellous sea views. We highly recommend you feel the sand<br />
between your toes as you sip on a cool rum punch!<br />
St Lucia’s eastern coast is home to a vast rainforest and has become<br />
an adventure eco-park, which Jane explored during her stay.<br />
“The Aerial Tram was absolutely tranquil,” says Ellie, “The whole team<br />
were gliding among the treetops in an open-air gondola, keeping an<br />
eye out for parrots and other wildlife while admiring incredible views<br />
across the island.”<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort is in the picturesque valley<br />
of the Pitons and set among 100 acres of rainforest and<br />
garden, making it your ideal tropical haven in St Lucia.<br />
Get pampered in the treehouse Rainforest Spa (see page<br />
34), enjoy watersports from the blissful white sands right<br />
on your doorstep, or sip a rum cocktail by the pool!<br />
An 7 night holiday staying at Sugar Beach in St Lucia,<br />
starts from £2,559 per person.<br />
The Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
GRENADA<br />
The Caribbean’s very own spice island remains a quieter yet<br />
equivalently sun-soaked destination.<br />
“There’s no high rise development here, and much of the island is home<br />
to nutmeg, ginger and pepper plantations, so there’s always a moreish<br />
hint of spice in the air,” shares Ellie.<br />
Naturally, given its history with spices, Jane visited both the island’s<br />
renowned fish market and spice markets to shop for ingredients with a<br />
chef, before heading to The Tower Estate to create a delicious, typical<br />
Grenadian lunch.<br />
Jane then visited the esteemed Belmont Estate, a huge organic cocoa<br />
plantation where she saw cocoa being processed and tried her hand<br />
at chocolate-making. (It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it!) As<br />
highlighted before in <strong>Sojourn</strong>, this 17th century estate is a must-visit<br />
during your Grenada holiday, with its vast gardens, heritage museum,<br />
petting farm, and craft cooperative.<br />
Jane ventured further into Grenada’s hinterland, with a jeep ride to<br />
Grand Etang National Park. Jane and team then took the 30 minute<br />
hike to the cooling waters of Seven Sisters Waterfalls.<br />
If you’d prefer to explore the azure waters surrounding Grenada then<br />
why not dive to the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, where you’ll<br />
find a stunning collection of figures five metres deep? Off-camera, Jane<br />
took a diving refresher course at the four star Coyaba Beach Resort,<br />
another favourite of <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel guests.<br />
“Embracing Grenadian culture, we joined Jane to watch the Bélé<br />
drummers and dancers at Silversands,” tells Ellie. “Bélé is a folk dance<br />
that we were told may be one of the oldest Creole dances and is<br />
influenced by African fertility rituals - it was hypnotic to watch.”<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Located right by the white sands of the Grand Anse Beach,<br />
Silversands is a luxurious haven that’s popular among<br />
celebrities, so it was an obvious accommodation choice<br />
for Jane. This five star resort has such a great culinary<br />
reputation that many non-guests choose to visit for their<br />
evening meals. What’s more, the swimming pool that Jane<br />
swam in is the longest swimming pool in the Caribbean!<br />
Jane stayed in the Silversands Ocean View Junior Suite<br />
on the top floor, which boasts an open plan living and<br />
sleeping space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a<br />
spacious balcony.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Silversands in Grenada,<br />
starts from £2,899 per person.<br />
10 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
HOLIDAYING WITH JANE MCDONALD: THE CARIBBEAN<br />
ANTIGUA<br />
Last but not least on Jane’s Caribbean itinerary was Antigua, with<br />
its coral reefs and exquisite beaches. Amid its colourfully Caribbean<br />
villages and laid-back character, Antigua has a distinctly English<br />
nature to it.<br />
Antigua’s many bays were once popular with pirates and naval fleets<br />
alike, including Admiral Nelson. This famed flag officer has been<br />
immortalised in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nelson’s Dockyard<br />
in the English Harbour, which Jane toured during her stay.<br />
Did you know that Antigua is home to an impressive 365 beaches,<br />
meaning you could technically have a different beach for every day<br />
of the year? Guests at Curtain Bluff get to undergo their own beach<br />
personality test, which identifies the perfect beach for you.<br />
“Jane’s perfect match was Pigeon Point Beach in the English Harbour,<br />
so naturally she had to visit it,” explains Ellie, “And the good news is she<br />
wasn’t disappointed - it was glamorous and popular!”<br />
While there, Jane dined at Catherine’s Café, a beachside brasserie that<br />
meets Parisian chic, and is an incredible place to spend a lingering,<br />
leisurely lunch with your loved ones. Think daybeds sprawled on white<br />
sands, classical French sharing platters, and fragrant greenery of neem<br />
trees and orchids - and you’re almost there!<br />
“Beach-loving aside, a speedboat ride out to Stingray City (read more<br />
on page 26) gave Jane the opportunity to swim with stingrays, before<br />
her and the team ventured to what the locals call ‘Jurassic Park’, aptly<br />
named because it’s home to one of the world’s oldest living animals,<br />
the Giant Aldabra Tortoise - as well as parrots and iguanas.”<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
The all-inclusive Curtain Bluff is located on a beautiful<br />
stretch of beach. This family-run resort used to be a family<br />
house but has been expanded into this stylish Caribbean<br />
haven. You can even try something new with a game of<br />
‘Pickleball’, or discover one of the Caribbean’s finest wine<br />
cellars! Jane stayed in the One Bedroom Bluff Suite, which<br />
boasts fresh chic interiors and indoor-outdoor living with<br />
exceptional patio space.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Curtain Bluff in Antigua,<br />
starts from £3,299 per person.<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel was proud to feature in Holidaying with Jane McDonald: The Caribbean, which is still available to watch on<br />
My5. Which Caribbean island is next on your bucket list? Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
A<br />
Perfectly<br />
Packed<br />
Suitcase<br />
Having the arduous (ahem) task of travelling for work, the <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel<br />
team certainly knows a thing or two about what a perfectly packed suitcase looks like.<br />
Our Marketing Director, Erin Johnson, shares her top tips for smart and light packing.<br />
After years of travelling for both my own holidays, and for work, I truly<br />
believe that packing a perfect suitcase is a real skill that needs time<br />
to be mastered. Each trip I take brings up a new tip for me, but most<br />
recently, the old adage of less is more has definitely come into fruition.<br />
Let’s start almost 25 years ago when I holidayed with a friend after<br />
taking my A-Levels. The bag I packed that included basically my<br />
WHOLE wardrobe was heaved onto the baggage scales at Bristol<br />
Airport by my long-suffering father, and off my friend and I went<br />
to Zakynthos.<br />
It was a green and purple holdall that was big enough for even<br />
me to fit inside, and during those seven days, I think I only wore<br />
seven items.<br />
Fast-forward a quarter century and my own space is now at a<br />
premium after the needs of my husband and children. I’ve come to<br />
realise in these years though that efficiency plays the biggest part in<br />
making the process easy, and most importantly swift.<br />
I used to hate packing but now I live by a few simple rules that really<br />
help – plus it makes the whole process enjoyable and exciting – just<br />
what you want before a well-deserved holiday.<br />
PACK FOR THE TRIP<br />
This sounds obvious but you will need different items for a week’s<br />
Greek Island holiday compared to a combined Portugal city and<br />
beach escape. Think about the activities you’ll be enjoying during the<br />
day and the evening, and pick multi-tasking pieces. More wear per<br />
item has become one of my biggest packing saviours.<br />
PICK A COLOUR THEME<br />
This would be my foremost tip – pick a colour palette for your trip and<br />
try hard to stick to it. Keeping colours limited is a simple way to make<br />
sure pieces can be mixed and matched easily, for maximum wear.<br />
Try and mix in a few prints and textures to complement the overall<br />
theme and add some interest.<br />
LAY OUT THE CLOTHES – OR EVEN TRY ON THE OUTFITS<br />
This step drives my husband mad but it really does work! Take<br />
everything you are thinking of packing and place together so you<br />
can see everything at once. This will ensure that you don’t have too<br />
many of one thing, and you can also see what goes together. This is<br />
really important to avoid over-packing or forgetting something.<br />
PACK OUTFITS NOT ITEMS<br />
Ensure you pack whole outfits and have in mind where you want to<br />
wear them. This is a fail-safe for me and one that I always live by. It’s<br />
so important to think about the outfit as a whole as I never want to<br />
be the Green and Purple Holdall Girl again!<br />
YOU NEED LESS SWIMWEAR THAN YOU THINK<br />
Keep swimwear to a small selection and coordinate it with the colour<br />
palette from the rest of your packing list. It’s good to take a mixture of<br />
one and two pieces. You can perhaps do what I do, which is to treat<br />
myself to something new for my holiday, but you definitely don’t need<br />
one costume or bikini per day!<br />
12 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
ACCESSORIES WILL MAKE THINGS FUN<br />
Accessories can make an outfit and on holiday, sunglasses are a<br />
favourite of mine.<br />
I tend to take three or four pairs for a different look and find they can<br />
really transform an outfit.<br />
Pack them in their original protective cases and place them into gaps<br />
in your suitcase. Jewellery too can add a transformational touch.<br />
It’s wise to stick to a theme and pack an edit of pieces that can be<br />
added to outfits with ease.<br />
I always gravitate towards beach-inspired pearls, shells and beads,<br />
and a few more glamorous pieces for evening wear. To keep them<br />
safe, keep them in a small rigid jewellery box that you carry in your<br />
hand-luggage.<br />
In summer, I tend to choose flats, keeping my selection to a pair of<br />
beach flip flops, a pair of leather sandals, and some dressy sandals<br />
that can go from day to supper. However, for heels I like to take<br />
wedge espadrilles with me – they offer the height but always feel<br />
summer appropriate. If you do want to take heels, I find a block heel<br />
works better for those walks along the promenade to dinner.<br />
PACKING CUBES ARE A SAVIOUR<br />
I’ve become a big fan of a packing cube. Cubes make packing and<br />
unpacking so much easier and it means you can separate your items<br />
easily. Once you reach your destination, you can simply remove each<br />
cube and put them in a drawer or shelf. Pack your shoes in bags and<br />
you won’t damage your perfectly-picked clothes, and you can store<br />
them tidily away too.<br />
BAGS AND SHOES<br />
For summer trips, I would always recommend taking bags that can<br />
be used to easily go from the beach-to-bar, and choose bags that<br />
will pack flat, thus saving you space.<br />
Use textures that are appropriate for your trip – think straw, raffia and<br />
cloth in colours that complement your outfits.<br />
As for shoes, after years of travelling, I can say with certainty that no<br />
holiday requires a lot of shoes, and I LOVE shoes! I once went to Las<br />
Vegas with my husband for five nights and he constantly reminds me<br />
that I took 14 pairs of shoes with me. CRAZY!<br />
IF YOU CAN, TAKE HANGERS<br />
It’s a bugbear of mine that hotel rooms don’t have enough hangers<br />
for men and women. If you have space, pack dresses and pieces that<br />
crease easily on space-saving hangers. I like the thin velvet ones and<br />
use them at home anyway! This way, you’ll always have enough.<br />
AND YOU’RE GOOD TO GO<br />
The final step? Wear your holiday hat to the airport to prevent it from<br />
getting misshapen - and you’re all set. Happy travels!<br />
Do you have any extra packing tips? Share them with us on Instagram @sovereigntravel<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
A day in<br />
CORFU OLD TOWN<br />
We highly recommend you spend a day away from<br />
your resort and discover a myriad of cultures in the<br />
UNESCO World Heritage site of Corfu’s pedestrian-only<br />
Old Town. Here’s how to best spend your day!<br />
As we highlighted in the last edition of <strong>Sojourn</strong>,<br />
Corfu has an incredible heritage that’s brimming<br />
with centuries of influence from the Byzantines,<br />
French, Greeks, Venetians, and British.<br />
Before we jump into details, know one thing: the<br />
streets of the Old Town, or Kerkrya as it’s known in<br />
Greek, are a labyrinth and it’s best to simply wander<br />
around and allow yourself to get lost - because with<br />
all the narrow alleyways or kandouni, you probably<br />
will! (For a quieter spot to wander in, head to the old<br />
medieval and residential quarter of Campiello.)<br />
As you roam around cobblestoned streets that<br />
pop with the pink of blossoming bougainvillaea,<br />
you may come across British legacy in the form of<br />
Guildford Street, named after a former British High<br />
Commissioner, or perhaps a game of cricket in<br />
the grass-filled square of Spianada, which is used<br />
as an informal cricket pitch. Arguably two of the<br />
most impressive British historic sites are the Ionian<br />
Academy, which housed modern Greece’s first<br />
university, and the Ionian Parliament.<br />
14 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
Morning<br />
Dimarchiou Square<br />
Old Fortress<br />
Boschetto Gardens<br />
We recommend you start early in the neighbourhood of Porta<br />
Remounda, and sit out in the sunshine of a local bakery as you<br />
enjoy a typical Greek breakfast. Starenio Bakery and Panetteria<br />
are both institutions in their own right, as you tuck into delicious,<br />
homemade spanakopita (spinach pie) or eliopsomo (olive bread)<br />
with your morning coffee.<br />
From here, wander a few minutes to the 17th century Venetian<br />
architecture of Platia Dimarchiou, which over the centuries has<br />
been used as a social club, opera house, and town hall. Right next<br />
to it, you can nip into the 19th century Catholic cathedral of Saint<br />
James and Saint Christopher, which feels like you’re stepping<br />
back in time.<br />
We then suggest you stroll the 10 minute walk across the moat<br />
to Palaio Frourio, the 14th century Old Fortress, which becomes<br />
busier as the day goes on. Started by the Byzantines but completed<br />
by the Venetians, this is one of several forts on the island. For<br />
excellent views, climb to the top of the Tower of the Sea where<br />
you can see across the terracotta roofs of the town, and over the<br />
glittering Ionian Sea towards mainland Greece and Albania.<br />
South of the fortress sits one of the largest churches in Corfu,<br />
the Church of Saint George, which despite being built by the<br />
British in the 19th century resembles an ancient Greek temple.<br />
You can also stroll around the tranquil Boschetto Gardens, and<br />
visit the neoclassical Palace of St Michael and St George, which<br />
houses a leading Museum of Asian Art.<br />
You can then wander into the old Jewish quarter and visit Corfu’s<br />
only surviving Jewish synagogue, before enjoying a typical Corfiot<br />
lunch. We highly recommend Marina’s Taverna where you can<br />
tuck into local specialities such as pastitsada (chicken and tomato<br />
penne), bourdeto (fish in a spicy red pepper sauce), as well as<br />
lighter dishes such as taramasalata and salads.<br />
Bourdetto<br />
The Church of St George<br />
Liston<br />
Afternoon<br />
After lunch, perhaps you’ll want to visit the Archaeological<br />
Museum before it closes, a 10 minute stroll away, where you can<br />
witness a fabulous bas relief of Medusa.<br />
Or maybe you prefer to head straight for some light retail therapy<br />
in the most cosmopolitan part of the Old Town?<br />
Liston is a 19th century promenade with elegant colonnades and<br />
arches that were inspired by the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Around here<br />
you’ll find many boutiques, jewellery, and craft shops selling local<br />
products, including ouzo! Cool off from the beating sun with<br />
a pit stop in one of the cafés for an espresso or a tsitsibira<br />
(ginger beer), a British influence. Or, you might prefer<br />
to wander to another institution, Papagiorgis Patiserie-<br />
Gelateria, for delicious pistachio gelato?<br />
Refreshed, you can then venture to the neighbourhood<br />
of Kofineta, which is teeming with Venetian and<br />
Neoclassical architecture. In the pink facade of the<br />
Ionian Bank, learn about the drachma, one of the<br />
world’s oldest currencies, in a unique Banknote Museum.<br />
Moments away is the Old Town’s most important church,<br />
the 16th century Cathedral of Saint Spyridon, which<br />
houses relics of Corfu’s patron saint, and an<br />
eye-catching bell tower.<br />
Cathedral of Saint Spyridon<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
A DAY IN CORFU OLD TOWN<br />
“Corfu Old Town is a fascinating place due to<br />
all the influences from many different countries.<br />
It has Venetian facades and a cricket ground in the<br />
middle of the town, a castle with a moat full of little<br />
boats and a beautiful pedestrianised centre of town<br />
with some lovely shops and restaurants.”<br />
Helen Lippe<br />
Personal Travel Planner<br />
Evening<br />
As the sun sets and birdsong fills the air, the Old Town<br />
cultivates a new energy. For a pre-dinner treat, dip into one<br />
final Corfiot establishment, Lazaris Distillery & Artisan Sweets<br />
Brand Store, to try some kumquat cream liquor, a tasty<br />
alcoholic beverage inherited by the traders of Venice.<br />
There are several restaurants to suit your mood for dinner.<br />
Romantics should look no further than the intimate and<br />
atmospheric Venetian Well, or if you’d prefer to continue<br />
a traditional taverna vibe, head to Prosalendou Street,<br />
where you can enjoy meze and spirits to the beat of<br />
live music and dance. We also recommend Salto Wine<br />
Bar-Bistro with its marina views. For a special occasion,<br />
book dinner ahead of time at Pomo d’Oro, with its seasonal,<br />
farm-to-fork gastronomy.<br />
After an amazing time in Corfu Old Town, the following day<br />
you can dream poolside in your resort as you revel in all<br />
the memories!<br />
A 7 night holiday in Corfu starts from £745 per person. Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
16 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
ADVERTORIAL<br />
From a traditional organic farm,<br />
to following in the footsteps of The Durrell’s,<br />
Grecotel Hotels & Resorts will guarantee you<br />
an authentic and luxurious Greek holiday.<br />
If you’re seeking impeccable service and warm, authentic<br />
Greek hospitality, you’ll always find it with the homespun<br />
and proudly Greek brand of Grecotel Hotels & Resorts,<br />
which hosts a collection of 35 exclusive boutique<br />
properties across Greece and its distinct islands.<br />
Every Grecotel property is individual and reflects<br />
its unique location, and <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel<br />
currently offers six of these luxurious resorts.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
ADVERTORIAL<br />
EAT LIKE A GREEK<br />
Gastronomy at Grecotel Hotels & Resorts is focused around<br />
fresh, organic vegetables authentic Greek flavours from talented<br />
executive chefs, whether you are eating à la carte or at a<br />
buffet restaurant.<br />
The half board basis Dine Club allows you to dine around at other<br />
Grecotel restaurants and choose from a fabulous curated menu,<br />
as well as tuck into beverages and snacks throughout the day.<br />
FARMING TRADITIONS<br />
If you wish to delve into the Cretan culture then visit Grecotel’s<br />
very own traditional Agreco Farm in Rethymnon, which practises<br />
centuries-old organic farming, complete with an olive press,<br />
water mill, winery, church, village square, and farm shop!<br />
You can either tuck into a traditional Cretan lunch in the taverna,<br />
or, you can spend the full day exploring and engaging in hands-on<br />
activities like bread-making, cheese-making or treading grapes<br />
and crushing wheat.<br />
THE DURRELLS EXPERIENCE<br />
Unique to Grecotel is the 1930s heritage site of Danilia Village<br />
in sun-drenched Corfu, which is the stunning film location for the<br />
TV series, The Durrells. Danilia Village also featured in the 1981<br />
James Bond classic, For Your Eyes Only.<br />
You’ll get a real sense of tradition within this quaint replica village<br />
that was built using reclaimed materials.<br />
This is quite literally a living museum, as you explore the open-air<br />
village squares and narrow lanes, as well as an outdoor and huge<br />
indoor taverna.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Grecotel Kos Imperial in Kos, starts from £839 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
18 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
The Great Debate<br />
The Greek Islands<br />
The Greek Islands are all so diverse and unique,<br />
how do you choose where to go?<br />
We thought we’d ask our Personal Travel Planners to fight it out!<br />
Crete? Santorini? Zakynthos? Corfu? Rhodes? Kos?<br />
Between all the Greek Islands, there really is something for every personality.<br />
Perhaps you’re looking for somewhere undiscovered and off-the-beaten track? Or perhaps<br />
you’d rather explore rugged coves than laze away the day on sandy beaches? Maybe<br />
you’re a cultural traveller looking to unearth history and traditions? Or simply a foodie, who<br />
wants to relish regional Grecian flavours?<br />
The truth is, there’s not a single Greek island that outdoes its rivals, as they all offer an array<br />
of experiences. Even within each island you’ll find very different experiences. Some might<br />
suit a family sojourn whereas others may be perfect for a romantic retreat away.<br />
With our tried and tested approach, our Personal Travel Planners intimately know the<br />
Greek islands and are keen to share with you their preferences, from destinations and<br />
accommodation to experiences and hidden gems.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas<br />
Domes Aulus Zante<br />
“For an authentic family holiday it has to be Crete”<br />
“I just love the Blue Palace in Plaka, you must try the meze<br />
in the Blue Door Taverna by the water’s edge. Looking over<br />
Spinalonga Island and eating delicious Greek food as you<br />
hear the waves come in, this is my idea of Greece.”<br />
“Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas has a lovely Beach<br />
Lounge Bar that’s open all day and is a must in the evening.<br />
After enjoying a meal in their fine dining Ocean Restaurant,<br />
this is the perfect end to a fantastic evening as you sip on<br />
cocktails, relax on the sofa, and listen to cool tunes.”<br />
“However, the privacy and service you get at Domes of<br />
Elounda for a family is second to none. Imagine the scene:<br />
a villa with your own pool to enjoy during the day, then in<br />
the evening while the children sleep soundly you can relax<br />
with a nightcap on your own terrace as you watch the<br />
sunset. This is the home-from-home holiday lifestyle!”<br />
“Yes, but Zakynthos is a natural wonder!”<br />
“Zakynthos has such picturesque coves and emerald green<br />
waters. It’s home to the famous loggerhead sea turtles, so<br />
a boat trip to see these majestic creatures should definitely<br />
be on your to do list. I went on this excursion, and it was<br />
amazing to see the turtles in their natural environment.<br />
The new Domes Aulus Zante is a natural area near to the<br />
turtle breeding ground, so your chance of seeing these<br />
beautiful creatures up close is a real possibility.”<br />
“My other favourite hotel in Zakynthos has to be Lesante Blu.<br />
It’s a haven of peace and quiet and has the most stunning<br />
views from its infinity pool across to the Peloponnese on one<br />
side, and Kefalonia on the other.”<br />
Louise Burling-Cooper, Personal Travel Planner<br />
Helen Lippe, Personal Travel Planner<br />
Santorini<br />
Corfu Beach<br />
“But Santorini is stunning and romantic!”<br />
“Santorini by far has the most stunning views! All the hotels<br />
we feature are built into the cliff face and overlook the<br />
renowned Santorini Caldera, where you can experience<br />
some of the most amazing sunsets, with Oia and Imerovigli<br />
fighting it out for the best. I suggest you wander the<br />
cobbled streets of the capital, Fira, with its selection of<br />
traditional Greek shops, restaurants, and cafés.”<br />
“All the hotels we feature here are small, boutique style<br />
hotels, which makes it particularly great for honeymooners<br />
or a romantic break. Also, Santorini is well positioned for an<br />
island hop, so you can easily add on Mykonos and/or Crete<br />
for a varied Greek island holiday."<br />
“Well, for culture, it has to be Corfu”<br />
“It’s definitely worth a visit to Corfu. Did you know it’s the<br />
greenest Greek island with lots of beautiful sandy beaches?”<br />
“You cannot leave without a visit to the UNESCO World<br />
Heritage site of Corfu Town, which is great for shopping<br />
in a relaxed and chilled environment and has wonderful<br />
restaurants. For that truly memorable experience, I recommend<br />
you hire a yacht for the day and live the high life!"<br />
Samantha Grist, Personal Travel Planner<br />
Karen Knight, Personal Travel Planner<br />
20 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
THE GREAT DEBATE: THE GREEK ISLANDS<br />
Elite Suites<br />
Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa<br />
“You can unearth treasures in Kos”<br />
“Rhodes is best explored by foot”<br />
“My all-time favourite Greek island has to be Rhodes.<br />
The Elite Suites in Ixia Bay is a firm favourite of mine as it<br />
has a sunset bar, which is the best place to go for sunset<br />
cocktails. From here you can arrange a private yacht<br />
rental to take in the unique views of the beautiful coast. We<br />
hopped in a taxi and arrived in no more than 10 minutes at<br />
the beautiful old town, and it was easy to get the taxi back<br />
to our hotel too. There are little streets to explore, where<br />
you’ll find lots of lovely traditional Greek restaurants and<br />
boutiques for a fun day out feasting and shopping.”<br />
“Given that it’s the third largest of the Dodecanese Islands,<br />
there are many ancient sites to explore and activities to<br />
keep the family busy in Kos, which is why I love it. Close to<br />
Kos Town, which has plenty of shops and bars, is Lambi<br />
Beach, a family-friendly beach with parasols and sunbeds<br />
that has something for everyone.”<br />
“If you’re travelling as a couple then I suggest you stay at<br />
Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa, as it will definitely have the<br />
peace and quiet that you’re looking for.”<br />
“One thing unique to Kos that I don’t think many of our<br />
guests realise is that you can combine a holiday here with<br />
Turkey, as there’s a catamaran that runs daily with just an<br />
hour and a half voyage!”<br />
Claire Wood, Personal Travel Planner<br />
Deborah Hayley, Personal Travel Planner<br />
HOP AROUND THE GREEK ISLANDS!<br />
Why choose one Greek island when you can combine<br />
several? Our Personal Travel Planners are experts at<br />
creating tailor-made luxury holidays that take in more<br />
than one destination, so that not only will you have a<br />
varied holiday, you don’t have to miss out on anything!<br />
You may wish to Coast the Cyclades and take in the glittering<br />
sights of Mykonos with its famous windmills, the whitewashed<br />
wonder of Oia in Santorini, and the beaches and local fishing<br />
villages of coastal Crete. This can include a half day trip to the<br />
uninhabited island of Delos, home to the ancient and mystical<br />
Temple of Apollo.<br />
You could Discover the Dodecanese by combining the islands<br />
of Rhodes, Symi & Kos, exploring medieval attractions and a<br />
sacred monastery, discover a natural sponge-making industry,<br />
and visit the Tree of Hippocrates.<br />
Or you could head Into the Ionian Islands, basing yourself in<br />
Corfu to take a luxury catamaran cruise to the smaller unspoilt<br />
islands of Paxos and Antipaxos that are riddled in Greek<br />
mythology, before finishing up in blissful Parga.<br />
A 10 night luxury island-hopping holiday in the Greek Islands starts from £3,735 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Domes<br />
Welcome to<br />
Lake Algarve<br />
We’re so thrilled to share with you the latest new resort from one of our preferred partners,<br />
Domes Resorts & Reserves - where you can rest by tranquil waters in the Algarve!<br />
Synonymous with luxury, you’re always guaranteed a<br />
stylish stay at Domes Resorts & Reserves, and in locations<br />
teeming with soul-stirring nature and history. That’s due to<br />
the handpicked approach of each and every destination.<br />
Your time can be peppered with immersive CORE<br />
programmes, where everything from food and wellness<br />
to even art can be explored through fabulous signature<br />
experiences. Add in the Domes Haute Living Selection<br />
where you can embrace exclusive spaces, and your<br />
own private concierge service, and you’ll find it hard<br />
to return home!<br />
You may be most familiar with the incredible collection<br />
of Domes Resorts in the Greek Islands that has made<br />
this brand legendary, but more properties are springing<br />
up across the Mediterranean, and the latest addition is<br />
the soulful Domes Lake Algarve!<br />
22 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
In the heart of the Algarve just five minutes from Vilamoura, as the<br />
name might suggest this five star resort is set next to its own private<br />
saltwater lake.<br />
The natural beauty encourages al fresco<br />
living, as you’re ensconced by gardens<br />
and lawn that are dotted by exotic blooms,<br />
fragrant fig and almond trees, pergolas,<br />
and lakeside restaurants that are connected<br />
by a wooden walkway.<br />
There are three outdoor swimming pools in both designated family<br />
and adults-only sections, including a natural sand bottom pool that<br />
is an experience in itself!<br />
Inside the hotel, you can enjoy the fruits of fresh and opulent -<br />
yet unpretentious - interiors. These perfectly harmonise with the<br />
peacock blue and green hues of the skyline and marine outdoors:<br />
think marble floors, painted domed ceilings, nature-inspired<br />
wallpaper, and a bounty of natural light.<br />
In addition to the spacious retreat rooms and family suites, and<br />
villas, there are also self-catering apartments to choose from that<br />
add extra flexibility.<br />
When you’re not embracing Domes Lake Algarve’s surroundings,<br />
such as taking the complimentary shuttle to nearby award-winning<br />
golf courses, going kayaking or cycling, and exploring Vilamoura,<br />
you can tuck into fresh, local cuisine at one of three restaurants<br />
- with a glass of Portugal's own Vino Regional, of course! Plus,<br />
there’s the signature Soma Spa to unwind in, and a choice of three<br />
bars to settle in and watch fabulous sunsets.<br />
Whether you’re seeking a family holiday where your children can<br />
play at the fabulous kids’ club or on a romantic couple’s retreat,<br />
one thing you will feel is endlessly inspired.<br />
A 7 night holiday at Domes Lake Algarve starts from £1,299 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
Welcome to the<br />
Algarve<br />
VILAMOURA<br />
A cosmopolitan town home to a marina filled with luxury yachts,<br />
fine wine bars, boutique shops, two golden beaches, and four<br />
championship golf courses nearby.<br />
The most-southerly region of Portugal are home to all-day<br />
sunshine, fabulous beaches, cosmopolitan marinas,<br />
and prestigious golf resorts. It’s time to explore!<br />
Under radiant sunbeams you’ll find whitewashed sleepy<br />
villages that poke out from the cliffside, and pristine beaches<br />
where you can find your own secluded bay.<br />
Pretty little family-run tavernas and chic bars on the side of<br />
glittering marinas invite you in for fresh seafood, a delicious<br />
bite of the famed Portuguese pastel de nata (custard tarts),<br />
or a glass of vinho verde.<br />
FERRAGUDO<br />
A pretty village with old world charm, from its cobblestoned streets<br />
and forts to its unusual lighthouse and sweeping beach paradise,<br />
Praia Grande.<br />
This is the Algarve - and it’s easy to reach with a short flight<br />
from the UK. With so much to choose from, here are our top<br />
places to discover.<br />
PORCHES<br />
A tiny village famed for its local arts and pottery scene, quiet coves<br />
and beaches, and home to VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa!<br />
BENAGIL<br />
A traditional village where you can take a leisurely boat tour<br />
to an amazing and picturesque formation of sea caves.<br />
LAGOS<br />
A historic town alive with a watersports hotspot on the soft sands<br />
of Meia Praia Beach, theme parks, a fabulous nightlife, and medieval<br />
attractions.<br />
CABO DE SÃO VICENTE<br />
Once considered the end of the world and home to an iconic red<br />
lighthouse museum, this dramatic and historic headline is the perfect<br />
place to watch the sunset.<br />
24 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Farm<br />
From<br />
Fork<br />
To<br />
WITH VILA VITA PARC RESORT & SPA<br />
Discover how VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa are preserving<br />
Portuguese traditions and showcasing local flavours through their<br />
marvellous farm to fork cuisine. This time we look at The Fork.<br />
You’re destined to have a gastronomic experience at VILA VITA<br />
Parc Resort & Spa. As we learnt in the last issue, ingredients are<br />
carefully picked from the resort’s own Herdade dos Grous Organic<br />
Farm, and from local suppliers, so you can always enjoy fresh,<br />
naturally, locally-sourced, and organic produce.<br />
This local bounty - from Algarvean oranges from the Silves area<br />
and hand-harvested Flor de Sal to the Monchique enchidos<br />
(sausages) and almonds - is thoughtfully enhanced with luxury<br />
items, such as rare caviar, to create exquisite dishes.<br />
This is then paired with the resort’s philosophy of celebrating<br />
diverse cuisines. You’ll find an incredible six bars and 11 restaurants,<br />
all with their own flavours and style, topped off with impeccable<br />
yet unpretentious service.<br />
Experience clean and crisp Japanese cuisine<br />
at Mizu Teppanyaki. There’s also the deliciously<br />
sustainable Atlantico restaurant, which focuses on<br />
modern Portuguese flavours inspired by nature,<br />
and has a menu that changes based on what’s<br />
available from the local fishermen and farmers.<br />
You can discover Portugal’s regional specialties and traditions at<br />
Adega restaurant, including classics from the islands of Madeira<br />
and Azores, where every dish tells a story.<br />
The pièce de résistance, however, is the two Michelin-starred<br />
restaurant, Ocean, which reimagines authentic Portuguese food<br />
at the hands of culinary superstar Hans Neuner. To top off your<br />
sublime culinary experience, Ocean boasts brilliant views of the<br />
Atlantic Ocean.<br />
It would be rude of us not to mention VILA VITA Parc’s incredible<br />
wine cellar, which is stocked with over 11,000 bottles, the largest<br />
private wine collection in Portugal. It’s an experience in itself as<br />
the first-class sommeliers are always on tap to suggest the perfect<br />
pairing! Why not enjoy a romantic private dinner or intimate wine<br />
tasting under the vaulted ceilings?<br />
What are you waiting for? Visit VILA VITA this year and tuck in!<br />
A 7 night holiday at Vila Vita Parc in the Algarve starts from £1,395 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
WILDLIFE ADVENTURES IN<br />
Antigua<br />
Some of the most magnificent travel experiences happen<br />
when you pause to reconnect with the natural world.<br />
Antigua is a favourite of ours for its wildlife attractions.<br />
DONKEY DISCOVERY<br />
Did you know that Antigua has an unusually large donkey<br />
population?<br />
The British imported donkeys into Antigua in the 17th century as<br />
working animals for the sugar industry and on farms, but the mules<br />
were left to their own devices in the 1970s. This caused an explosion<br />
in their population, and there’s now an estimated 400 wild donkeys<br />
in Antigua. They can often be spotted meandering along roads,<br />
eating up crops, or even grazing in the grounds of the country’s<br />
principal sports stadium!<br />
The Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society is a non-profit animal<br />
welfare organisation that shelters over 150 rescued and injured<br />
donkeys at its Donkey Sanctuary.<br />
If you ever find you’ve had enough of the beautiful beaches, you<br />
might like to visit the 43 acre sanctuary for a family day out, which<br />
is also fully wheelchair accessible. Spend time getting to know the<br />
donkeys, as they all have different personalities, and you can even<br />
help feed and groom these gentle equines.<br />
ECO DESERT ISLAND<br />
For a truly wild experience, you may like to visit Great Bird Island.<br />
It’s a tiny, uninhabited private islet that measures just 20 acres,<br />
but is brimming with unique wildlife species. In fact, it was named<br />
by passing sailors who were astonished by the sheer number<br />
of birds nesting and living on this desert island with its blissful<br />
white sugar sands.<br />
You might like to stay on the beach, go snorkelling around the coral<br />
reefs that are alive with activity, or hike into the islet’s highlands on<br />
canopied trails.<br />
Great Bird Island is the only place on earth where you might see the<br />
harmless and rare snake, the Antiguan racer. Plus, there are several<br />
endangered species of lizard, brown pelicans, and exotic red-billed<br />
tropicbirds to witness.<br />
If you holiday between December to May, then you may be lucky to<br />
spot some whales from the top of the hill, as well as hawksbill and<br />
green turtles in the bay.<br />
Our favourite donkey is Stevie, who was blinded by a vehicle<br />
collision and really appreciates the attention he receives from<br />
guests. Admission is free, but while you’re there you may like to<br />
adopt one of the Antiguan donkeys to support its ongoing care.<br />
26 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
A WORLD OF BIRDS<br />
Antigua’s number one bird spot, Frigate Bird Sanctuary, is only<br />
reachable with a short boat trip. Tucked away in a vast mangrove<br />
lagoon on the neighbouring island of Barbuda, there are over<br />
170 species of birds to observe here, including one of the world’s<br />
largest colonies of frigate birds.<br />
The most extraordinary bird species are the magnificent frigatebirds,<br />
also known as the man o’war bird, which are instantly identifiable<br />
thanks to their impressive wingspan, which can be up to eight<br />
feet in length, not to mention their giant size. Given that they can<br />
comfortably soar in the sky for long periods at a time, they are easy<br />
to observe.<br />
The male frigate boasts a red throat pouch, which he can inflate<br />
when feeling threatened, or as part of his mating dance, which<br />
you can see between the mating season from September to April.<br />
These same birds migrate to the Galapagos Islands each year.<br />
Aside from frigates you’ll also be able to spot pelicans and terns<br />
on the beach, as well as the endemic tropical mockingbird, the<br />
Christmas bird. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the rare and<br />
endangered West Indian whistling tree duck or Barbuda warbler.<br />
Nesting Frigate Bird<br />
SWIM WITH STINGRAYS<br />
You’ve heard of swimming with wild dolphins, but what<br />
about stingrays?<br />
The fact they have the word sting in their name, you may think<br />
of stingrays as fierce sea creatures, yet the southern rays found<br />
in Antigua are friendly and gentle - and definitely worthy of<br />
spending time with during your holiday.<br />
Start your wildlife adventure with a five minute speedboat ride<br />
zipping through the country’s offshore islands, before you reach<br />
Stingray City, located in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. This is a<br />
non-enclosed area of shallow, clear warm waters where you can<br />
see down to the white sandy seabed, which is surrounded by coral<br />
reefs and tropical fish.<br />
Stingrays come to this spot as they are attracted by the sound<br />
and vibrations of the boat, knowing that they’ll receive a free<br />
feed of calamari!<br />
“Stingray City is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!<br />
I will never forget meeting one of my favourite<br />
animals, the angelic southern stingray, in the crystalclear<br />
waters of their natural habitat. They’re free to<br />
come and go as they please but they are incredibly<br />
friendly and want to come and say hello.”<br />
Ellie Harding<br />
Marketing Executive, <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel<br />
Once your boat has been moored, with a guide always by your<br />
side you can step into the water from a wooden floating platform,<br />
where a fever of wild stingrays will glide in to greet you in their<br />
natural environment. Female stingrays are the largest, spanning<br />
three feet long.<br />
Green Lizard<br />
Despite being related to sharks, stingrays aren’t aggressive. They<br />
have a venomous barb at the base of their tails, but stingrays<br />
will only sting if they’ve been stepped on or feel threatened. Your<br />
guides will teach you how to be careful in their presence and<br />
to walk on the seabed in a ‘stingray shuffle’ - where you shuffle<br />
without lifting your feet. The southern stingrays at Stingray City<br />
are used to having visitors gently swim around them, so any risk<br />
is minimal.<br />
You can choose to stand, snorkel or swim with the stingrays, and<br />
can even feed or touch them - plus you’ll probably be surprised<br />
by just how accommodating the rays are to selfies!<br />
While snorkelling, you may also get to witness shoals of small<br />
barracudas, boxfish, and jacks.<br />
After rinsing off the ocean under a convenient shower, enjoy a<br />
rum punch to end a fabulous day out.<br />
A 7 night holiday in Antigua, staying at COCOS Hotel, starts from £2,199 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
Out of this World:<br />
WINTER SUN<br />
EXPERIENCES<br />
IN LANZAROTE<br />
Beyond the warmth of the Canarian sunshine and your<br />
luxurious resort, Lanzarote is an untamed and dramatic<br />
wilderness that has been shaped by volcanic eruptions of its<br />
distant past and today is simply bursting with landscapes<br />
that feel out of this world.<br />
With its somewhat surreal terrain of lava flow and ash,<br />
parts of Lanzarote are often compared to planet Mars.<br />
In fact, the European Space Agency trains its astronauts<br />
here, and the island was selected by NASA to practise<br />
driving lunar buggies for moon landings!<br />
Lanzarote is the perfect luxury holiday destination all year<br />
round, including for winter sun with its comfortably warm<br />
climate and average temperatures of 20°C from December<br />
through February!<br />
Your idyllic days of sun, sea and sand will be amplified as<br />
you explore the treasures of this unique Canarian island.<br />
28 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
Astronautical Ambience in Timanfaya National Park<br />
You’d be mad to go to Lanzarote and not take a trip into Timanfaya<br />
National Park, a seemingly desolate and somewhat eerie moonscape<br />
that was forged by cooling lava from now dormant volcanoes. The<br />
locals call this place Montañas del Fuego - the Fire Mountains.<br />
It’s easy to understand why the park was featured in the 1996<br />
adventure fantasy film set in prehistoric times, One Million Years B.C.,<br />
as well as the location of a hostile planet in the 1985 space war drama<br />
Enemy Mine, among others.<br />
With its massive craters of rocky earth, it’s unstable underfoot and so<br />
the main and popular coach tours are not permitted to walk around.<br />
Our advice? Go on a small group walking tour with a ranger. As<br />
there’s no shade, this is best experienced in the winter months.<br />
Visiting here is a favourite travel memory for <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel’s<br />
Head of Commercial, Jon Hill. “It’s literally like being on a different<br />
planet! You can stop inside the park at El Diablo Restaurant with<br />
amazing panoramic views, and tuck into dishes cooked by the natural<br />
geothermal heat, or you can watch a straw burst into flames when it’s<br />
dropped into a hole at the visitor centre.”<br />
Crystal Vision at Salt Pans<br />
From bubbled barren terrain, another otherworldly experience is<br />
to be found at the Janubio Salt Pans. Waters from a natural lagoon<br />
formed by the volcanic eruptions are left to evaporate and crystallise<br />
into our favourite mealtime seasoning. Salt was an important industry<br />
in Lanzarote in the late 19th century and today the salt pans are a<br />
protected national heritage site.<br />
Salt is an important part of Canarian culture and is dyed vibrant<br />
colours and used in street displays to celebrate the island’s traditional<br />
Corpus Christi festival each year. Even in its natural form, the<br />
patchwork of salt flats are wonderfully picturesque with their rising<br />
white pyramids. These pile up until they are harvested by hand during<br />
the summer.<br />
Thorny Bites in Cactus Garden<br />
Let’s now move to the prickly and imaginative world of Jardín de<br />
Cactus, a quarry-turned-garden that was the last endeavour by the<br />
illustrious Canarian architect-artist, César Manrique.<br />
Wonderfully arranged with its traversing paths, you’ll find over 1,100<br />
cacti varieties of many shapes, sizes, spikes, and flowers from around<br />
the world. At the chic terrace café/bar, why not try a green-tinged<br />
cactus burger featuring prickly pear cactus? Out. Of. This. World!<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
OUT OF THIS WORLD: LANZAROTE<br />
Into the Dark at Los Hervidores<br />
& El Golfo<br />
Not all the lava from the violent volcanic<br />
eruptions of the 18th century stayed on land.<br />
Los Hervidores is a rugged landscape of caves<br />
and cliffs that stretches as far as your eye can<br />
see, forged when the roving lava collided with<br />
the crashing and cool ocean waves.<br />
Not far away, you’ll find El Golfo, one of<br />
Lanzarote’s renowned black sand beaches.<br />
Experience pure drama as you watch the<br />
powerful Atlantic Ocean swell as it smashes<br />
into the volcanic black rocks. While you’re here<br />
it’s hard to miss and not be awed by the large,<br />
vibrant green crater lake right by the beach,<br />
coloured by a unique algae within its waters.<br />
For their awe-inspiring grandeur, your heart<br />
may skip a beat in these two spots.<br />
Parade the Prom by Playa Blanca<br />
Quite the opposite of black sands, discover<br />
the resort town of Playa Blanca where inviting<br />
restaurants line the harbour.<br />
“There’s a long promenade that you can stroll<br />
down and absorb the bustling atmosphere in<br />
the evening, while by day you can wander the<br />
pretty yacht-lined harbour of upmarket Marina<br />
Rubicón”, reveals Jon.<br />
You’ll find the large beach of Playa Dorada,<br />
right in front of Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel<br />
Resort. For kids and big kids alike, there’s also<br />
Aqualava Waterpark nearby, which celebrates<br />
the volcanic landscapes, with pools that are<br />
heated geothermally and perfect for colder<br />
winter days, as well as a saltwater wave pool<br />
among the water slides, lazy river, and play<br />
structures.<br />
Sail Away to Papagayo Beach<br />
More beach bliss is to come your way at<br />
Papagayo Beach on Lanzarote’s southern<br />
coast. Tucked within Monumento Natural de<br />
Los Ajaches Park is a cluster of seven small<br />
beaches that are sheltered among craggy<br />
and bulbous lava rocks. Step onto divinely<br />
soft sands where you can safely go swimming<br />
in the warm, azure ocean waters.<br />
Our recommended way to reach this beach<br />
is with a private half day sailing trip on a<br />
catamaran, where along the way you can<br />
enjoy a delicious local lunch or tapas and<br />
refreshments on board, before arriving at<br />
Papagayo Beach. You can even go kayaking,<br />
snorkelling or paddling using the equipment<br />
provided!<br />
30 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
Dizzying Jaunts in Lava Tubes<br />
Lanzarote is teeming with lava tubes - underground cave systems<br />
formed when lava travels beneath the surface. At La Cueva de los<br />
Verdes, you’ll find one that was formed over 4,000 years ago and is<br />
four miles long, although only one mile is open to visitors. This section<br />
is wonderfully lit up, so that you can enjoy a spectacle of light and<br />
shadow as you wander through several connected galleries.<br />
Near Cueva de los Verdes is the lava tube envisioned by César<br />
Manrique, Jameos del Agua, where you’ll find an underground<br />
wonderland! There’s a cool, curvy open-top swimming pool,<br />
restaurant and bar, as well as an auditorium that hosts live music<br />
events by night. Always joining you in the cave are a cast of teeny<br />
tiny native albino crabs!<br />
Walk the Crater of Volcán El Cuervo<br />
Would it be rude to come all the way to volcanic Lanzarote without<br />
going to see one up close?<br />
You be the judge, but that’s where our final out of this world<br />
experience comes in handy. At Volcán El Cuervo you can actually<br />
climb into the mouth of a volcano! Don’t worry though, there’s little<br />
chance of an eruption! Not only is it a fascinating way to learn<br />
about the island’s historic geology and a great holiday hike, you’ll be<br />
rewarded with the most incredible panoramic birds-eye views.<br />
A 7 night holiday in Lanzarote starts from £859 per person. Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
Secrets<br />
OF A HOTELIER<br />
From winter sun to the perfect summer holiday,<br />
there’s one five star stay in Cyprus that has it all.<br />
<strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel caught up with Costas Malaou,<br />
Sales Manager of the Amara Hotel in Limassol.<br />
The moment you arrive at Amara Hotel,<br />
located just outside the coastal city of<br />
Limassol, you feel like you’ve jumped<br />
into the picture-perfect images that<br />
you’re tempted with on their Instagram<br />
channel. Having opened its doors in<br />
2019, Amara Hotel is the third and<br />
latest addition to the world-class yet<br />
Cyprus-owned hotel group, Stademos.<br />
Costas Malaou started working in tourism<br />
aged 15 years, working in local restaurants.<br />
“It warmed my heart and I realised early<br />
on that welcoming guests is something<br />
I always had to do.” He’s been with<br />
the Stademos group for five years,<br />
and now finds it hard to imagine<br />
being anywhere else.<br />
32 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
Amara Hotel is very much a beach<br />
destination, sitting on one of arguably the<br />
best beaches in Cyprus, where you’ll find<br />
sunbeds, umbrellas, and a beach team to<br />
cater to your food or drink needs.<br />
“Our owner had great vision for Amara, he<br />
didn’t want it to be a run-of-the-mill five<br />
star hotel,” explains Costas. “He wanted<br />
it to have the biggest rooms in Cyprus,<br />
extraordinary facilities, and a huge spa with<br />
dozens of treatment rooms.”<br />
This aspiration was attained, and begins<br />
within the very fibre of the property, which<br />
was designed collectively by an awardwinning<br />
trio of architects and interior<br />
designers. Amara Hotel boasts crisp clean<br />
lines that’s generous with space.<br />
“Amara feels so alive, as it’s always<br />
changing and transforming itself for<br />
the seasons, be that in the unique<br />
artworks sourced from international<br />
and local designers, to the plants<br />
and the furniture that move location<br />
depending on the time of year.”<br />
“People don’t realise that Cyprus has<br />
more than 150 Blue Flag beaches, which<br />
is something we are very proud of and<br />
grateful for. We made a point of ensuring<br />
the hotel was situated right next to a 400<br />
metre stretch of sand. Not only is it spacious<br />
but it’s easily accessible and ideal for<br />
families, as when you enter the water it's<br />
smooth and shallow, making it very safe.”<br />
With regular clean up days, the team<br />
takes great care to ensure that their beach<br />
remains clean and inviting, and even in the<br />
peak of the summer holidays, there’s still<br />
plenty of quiet areas for couples to enjoy<br />
their own space.<br />
The hotel is incredibly close to the<br />
archaeological city of Amathunta where<br />
guests can learn about the ancient royal<br />
city, which is a popular activity for guests<br />
visiting in the winter. But if you don’t feel like<br />
stepping out of the hotel, you can always<br />
find history within it.<br />
“Guests are always surprised to learn that<br />
we have a genuine restored and preserved<br />
wall that dates back to Cyprus’s ancient<br />
history that you can physically see within<br />
the spa.”<br />
Arguably, the star of the show is this<br />
impressive spa, which spans 3,000 square<br />
metres. “Our spa really is the launchpad into<br />
our hotel, as we have nine spa treatment<br />
rooms, and multiple treatments available in<br />
what we call our Spa Bar.” explains Costas.<br />
“Our team custom makes every single<br />
scrub to suit a guest’s needs using<br />
natural and fresh ingredients, such as<br />
locally-produced carob and olive oil,<br />
as well as carefully-sourced organic<br />
coffee, sugar and essential oils, so that<br />
guests really go on a wellness journey.”<br />
When it comes to dining, you’re also spoilt<br />
for choice. You’ll find the Michelin-starred<br />
chef Giorgio Locateli who is very much<br />
hands-on with creating Italian dishes<br />
at Ristorante Locatelli, as well as Nobu<br />
Matsuhisa’s famous Japanese-Peruvian<br />
restaurant Nobu, the only one of its kind on<br />
the entire island.<br />
“The restaurants are a destination in their<br />
own right, and our global Michelin-starred<br />
chefs and menus attract high-end visitors.”<br />
“One of our biggest ongoing challenges is<br />
that we have guests who book to stay in one<br />
of the Amara suites or Cabana rooms for a<br />
week, but on their last day ask us to extend<br />
their stay, which isn’t possible in those rooms<br />
as we just don’t have availability. So, if we<br />
could change one thing we’d have more<br />
suites and ground floor cabanas with the<br />
private pools, as they are so popular.”<br />
The Amara Hotel team are always creating<br />
unique experiences for guests, whether<br />
that’s arranging 300 red roses, a room full<br />
of balloons, a private dinner with a piano<br />
player, or a meal in which their expert chefs<br />
build a menu specifically to a guest’s tastes.<br />
“If a guest wants a specific fish, our chefs<br />
will personally go to the fish market to select<br />
the best catch that morning.”<br />
And what’s the best location for one of<br />
these legendary private dinners? “The<br />
Rooftop Duplex Suite”, says Costas. “It’s an<br />
adults-only, two level suite with a private<br />
pool and is just such an amazing place for<br />
a private dinner! You have a magnificent<br />
view of the whole Mediterranean Sea, and<br />
complete privacy.”<br />
“Everywhere you go, you have your eye on<br />
the Mediterranean Sea, so you are always<br />
left with a feeling of freedom and calm. The<br />
rooftop bar is very elegant and stylish, and<br />
in the summertime it’s a perfect place to be<br />
as you enjoy live lounge music and amazing<br />
cocktails. But everywhere is wonderful - the<br />
terrace, the lobby lounge, everywhere!<br />
“Our hotel motto is<br />
‘Own your horizon’<br />
and it really is true.”<br />
“Our hotel is a perfect place for holidays<br />
throughout the year and there are no<br />
language barriers here as everyone speaks<br />
English and we even drive on the same<br />
side and have the same road signs! You<br />
can chase the winter sun from November to<br />
March, without having to venture as far as<br />
the Caribbean or Indian Ocean, and enjoy<br />
a range of activities, from cycling and skiing,<br />
to winery visits.”<br />
“Cypriot wines are now winning global<br />
medals and the nearest winery to us has<br />
just invested €8 million, which makes it<br />
the perfect marriage with Amara’s<br />
fabulous food.”<br />
A 7 night holiday at Amara Hotel in Limassol starts from £1,795 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
FIND YOUR<br />
Natural<br />
Spa<br />
Unwind with our selection of curative spa treatments<br />
that come completely from nature.<br />
Are you ready for a natural spa experience? Cocoon yourself in<br />
a mineral mud bath, or soak in waters that come from thermal<br />
mineral springs and you’ll be tapping into time-honoured wisdom,<br />
as natural springs are believed to soothe and revitalise not only<br />
your mind but also your body, healing chronic health conditions<br />
or injuries. We can’t guarantee you’ll look ten years younger, but<br />
you might just gain a new spring in your step!<br />
SLOW DOWN IN THE TROODOS MOUNTAINS<br />
When you stay at Casale Panayiotis Traditional Village Hotel &<br />
Spa at Kalopanayiotis, high in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus,<br />
you’ll be unearthing several centuries of healing at the sulphur<br />
springs in this historic spa village. This unique luxury resort has<br />
redefined the area’s ancient traditions so that you can experience<br />
restful bathing rituals in a sumptuous and award-winning<br />
environment.<br />
In a special hydrobath massage tub with over 100 microjets you’ll<br />
be steeped in the natural local spring waters, known as theouha.<br />
Embrace a traditional thermal circuit as you make your way<br />
through a sauna, mint ice mist, herbal steam room, snow cabin,<br />
tropical rain, and foot baths. There’s also a cabin where you can<br />
relax with a detoxifying all-body rhassoul mud treatment.<br />
For a special spa moment that’s truly bathed in romance and<br />
offers bubbles in more ways than one, then we recommend<br />
the Night Spa Journey, where you can enjoy a private couple’s<br />
after-hours spa experience that finishes with a candlelit dinner.<br />
Add on a 3 night stay to your Cyprus holiday from £425 per person.<br />
34 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
LAZE BY LAKE GARDA<br />
Hotel Caesius Thermae & SPA Resort in Bardolino is a true haven<br />
of relaxation, perched by the crystal-clear waters on the eastern<br />
shore of Italy’s largest lake. Its lush Caesius spa sources pure,<br />
thermal water that gurgles out from the natural mountain springs<br />
of nearby Monte Baldo.<br />
This water is brimming with minerals, including calcium, magnesium,<br />
iron, silicon and potassium, which can provide you with an array of<br />
health benefits. The best way to embrace its hydrotherapeutic and<br />
cleansing effects is in the spa’s two hydromassage pools, which stay<br />
at a constant warming temperature of 34°C.<br />
This spa oasis, which sprawls across 3,000 square metres, boasts<br />
an on-site doctor to tailor personalised health and medical spa<br />
treatments during your stay.<br />
A 7 night stay starts from £1,149 per person.<br />
BASK IN ST LUCIA<br />
For a truly tropical experience, head to Sugar Beach, a Viceroy<br />
Resort, where you’ll find the delightfully serene Rainforest Spa,<br />
nestled among verdant foliage with a stream running through it, and<br />
offering soaring mountain views. Unwind with bamboo massages,<br />
scrubs and hot rock therapies in a dreamy thatched stone or<br />
treehouse treatment room.<br />
If it’s ever at all possible to tire of this lush, sunny haven, then less<br />
than a 15 minute drive away are the Sulphur Springs, allegedly the<br />
only place in the world where you can drive into a dormant volcano,<br />
which last erupted over 200 years ago!<br />
Dive into the potent rejuvenating mud baths, which are great for<br />
soothing aching joints, sunburn or other skin conditions. You can then<br />
wash the mud off at a refreshing natural waterfall. With both full and<br />
half day experiences, this is a place you’ll remember.<br />
A 7 night stay starts from £2,559 per person.<br />
Soak up your natural spa bliss with us! Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
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OUR PICK<br />
Rooms with a View<br />
Dreamy views make for a fabulous start to each day on your holiday.<br />
You’ll be pinching yourself with our pick of rooms with a unique view.<br />
GRAND PARK HOTEL ROVINJ<br />
CROATIA<br />
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj provides epic views to the gem that is Rovinj. Gaze across<br />
tranquil yacht-lined waters to terracotta tiled roofs and the pop of emerald cypress trees.<br />
36 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com<br />
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
MarBella Elix<br />
Raffles Seychelles<br />
MARBELLA ELIX<br />
GREECE<br />
RAFFLES<br />
SEYCHELLES<br />
Breathtaking. That’s the only way to describe your view at<br />
MarBella Elix, as your private infinity pool floats out into<br />
the endless horizon blue of the Ionian Sea.<br />
Your magical island haven is uplifted by the calm tropical views<br />
from your pool villa at Raffles Seychelles, where bountiful<br />
palm trees and the Indian Ocean glitters before you.<br />
ANANTARA VILAMOURA<br />
PORTUGAL<br />
FAIRMONT BAB AL BAHR<br />
ABU DHABI<br />
The lush green fairways of Victoria Golf Course provide<br />
a soothing and serene picture to wake up to from your<br />
room at Anantara Vilamoura.<br />
Embrace the regal spectacle of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque<br />
with its spherical domes and reaching minarets right from<br />
your room at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.<br />
Anantara Vilamoura<br />
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
GUEST STORY<br />
Into the<br />
Maldives<br />
with Lin Johnson<br />
We used <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel for our Maldives trip in December<br />
last year. This was our first time getting away since November 2019<br />
and we kept pinching ourselves to make ourselves believe we were<br />
actually there!<br />
As a family we usually enjoy self-catering holidays. Now our children<br />
are adults and it’s just my husband and I travelling together, we like<br />
to stay in boutique style hotels, and we go to Gran Canaria at least<br />
once a year if we can. We do not do highrise large hotels!<br />
We tend to independently book our holidays but it was nice on<br />
this occasion to have it organised by someone else. We found our<br />
Personal Travel Planner, Antonia Coppolella, very helpful and it<br />
made life easier.<br />
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa suited our budget and had everything<br />
that we wanted from a holiday. We had a wonderful time there -<br />
the white soft sand and warm turquoise water will stay with me<br />
forever. We stayed in a Beach Villa, which was lovely and had<br />
great uninterrupted views over the ocean.<br />
The sea plane ride to the island was amazing and definitely<br />
something ticked off the bucket list and on arriving at the<br />
island we were welcomed with drums beating and staff<br />
clapping their hands. It made us feel very welcome.<br />
You could literally kick off your shoes and relax. On arrival there was<br />
a bottle of sparkling rosé wine waiting for us. We were allocated<br />
an 'island host' and he was very helpful, and we could contact him via<br />
Whatsapp, which we thought was great. The staff were friendly<br />
at all times.<br />
We took advantage of the spa, which I would thoroughly recommend!<br />
I have never stayed anywhere with an outside bathroom before so that<br />
is also an experience ticked off the bucket list. Having a shower while<br />
fruit bats flew from tree to tree nearby was quite something.<br />
We brought our own snorkelling gear from home<br />
and it was amazing to be able to snorkel off the beach<br />
and witness sea turtles, reef tip sharks, stingrays,<br />
and lovely colourful and large fish!<br />
While the island is the third largest in the Maldives it still had an<br />
exclusive feel to it and never felt too busy. There are four restaurants<br />
on Kuredu, including one à la carte restaurant. On arrival we<br />
were allocated to one of them but we could also use the other<br />
restaurants if we made a reservation, which we did.<br />
The food was of excellent quality at all the restaurants, and there<br />
was plenty to choose from. I can recommend both the red and<br />
white wine and local beer to have with dinner. We also had yummy<br />
cocktails - pina coladas and daiquiris, which were included in our<br />
all inclusive stay.<br />
We had two fridges in our room that were restocked daily and were<br />
very generous. They included wine, beer, soft drinks, fruit juices,<br />
snacks and, at extra cost, sparkling wine and spirits.<br />
Our favourite thing to do was to wander back to the room at about<br />
4pm and relax on the daybed on our deck, watching the sea while<br />
enjoying a glass of wine before we got ready to go to dinner. There<br />
were a number of shops where you could also purchase limited<br />
supplies as well as souvenirs and clothes.<br />
We spent our days around the pool, with our loungers looking<br />
towards the beach. We loved watching the sea planes coming in<br />
and leaving. And we could choose to swim between the pool or the<br />
sea! The palms gave great shade when needed.<br />
On our last night we had a special table that<br />
had been decorated to say farewell to us. It was a truly<br />
magical and beautiful time away.<br />
38 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
A 7 night holiday at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa in the Maldives starts from £1,799 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
La Gomera<br />
The Hidden<br />
Canary Island<br />
Did you know that there’s an unsung Canary Island?<br />
The second smallest of the eight Canary Islands,<br />
La Gomera is relatively forgotten about, making it<br />
a haven for nature lovers and boasting old-world<br />
Canarian charm and traditions.<br />
With mild yet warm temperatures throughout the year, La Gomera<br />
lives in what the locals call an eternal spring. It has a more demure<br />
and tranquil vibe than other islands in the archipelago - in fact<br />
La Gomera only gained mains electricity and water after 1975.<br />
It's surprisingly easy to reach La Gomera - just a 40 minute ferry<br />
ride from Tenerife’s Los Cristianos Harbour, which takes you into the<br />
island’s picturesque capital of San Sebastián, where pretty pastel<br />
cliffside houses seem to almost spill into the sea.<br />
Incidentally, the island was Christopher Columbus's last stop before<br />
he sailed to the Americas in 1492. La Gomera’s most recent global<br />
claim to fame is that it was the location of the 2015 film, In the Heart<br />
of the Sea, which was set in the mid-19th century.<br />
La Gomera was a former hippie hangout too: in the 1960s and 1970s<br />
the island attracted Americans who would hide in its caves to avoid<br />
military conscription during the Vietnam War.<br />
One of La Gomera’s most unusual customs is Silbo Gomero, a<br />
whistled language that shepherds and other inhabitants of the<br />
island have used for many centuries to help communicate to one<br />
another across the rugged volcanic landscapes of deep ravines<br />
and narrow valleys. It’s believed that this whistling can convey<br />
messages over three miles. Even today, school children still learn<br />
the language.<br />
If you enjoy hiking then you’re in luck, as there’s over<br />
400 miles of zigzagging walking trails that take you<br />
into incredible landscapes, including up to the island’s<br />
highest peak, the Alto de Garajonay.<br />
In the heart of the island, you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage<br />
site of Garajonay National Park, which is mostly made up of a vast,<br />
fairytale-esque and foggy laurel forest that you can easily venture<br />
through and discover gnarled trees, horizontal rain, and unique<br />
animals, including a giant lizard species.<br />
Like the other Canary Islands, La Gomera also boasts a homegrown<br />
winemaking culture, producing a whopping 30,000 litres every year<br />
with its own designation of origin. You can visit vineyards and<br />
bodegas in Vallehermoso and Hermigua.<br />
We recommend you watch rather than partake in the somewhat<br />
eccentric folk sport of salto del pastor or shepherd’s leap, where<br />
shepherd’s nimbly pole-vault across mountaintops. It’s quite a feat!<br />
Spend your time unwinding on the island's many unspoilt beaches,<br />
including the three Blue Flag beaches - Playa de Santiago in<br />
Alajeró, and both Playa de La Cueva and Playa de San Sebastián<br />
de La Gomera in San Sebastián. Tapahuga Beach is easily reached<br />
by a direct walkway from Hotel Jardín Tecina.<br />
Go whale watching off the Atlantic Coast, or on<br />
guided walks, such as a historical stroll, a wander<br />
under the stars, or a walk through banana plantations.<br />
You’ll also find unusual rock formations, such as Los Organos,<br />
which resembles a set of church organ pipes.<br />
There are many villages to discover, such as the hilltop village<br />
of Agulo, which is ensconced by the ‘yellow gold’ of banana<br />
plantations, and the hamlet of Chipude, which is bursting with history.<br />
Driving around you’ll find people in straw hats tending to the land,<br />
low-key settlements, and terraces sprawling with prickly pears,<br />
aloe, and palms.<br />
La Gomera really does feel like the place that time<br />
forgot - but you’ll be so glad you’ve found it.<br />
The now-dormant volcanoes really shaped La Gomera, creating<br />
natural treasures of black sand beaches, palm-filled valleys,<br />
and almost ethereal mountainous slopes.<br />
40 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
ADVERTORIAL<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
HOTEL JARDÍN TECINA<br />
There’s only one place we recommend you stay in La Gomera,<br />
as it offers such an array of fantastic experiences.<br />
Situated on a clifftop, Hotel Jardín Tecina is a flower-filled haven<br />
that feels like a pretty Canarian village with its botanical gardens,<br />
swaying palm trees, and typical architecture. Backed by mountains<br />
with mesmerising panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean, there are<br />
steps and lifts down to the shingle beach, where you can splash<br />
in the crystalline waters, play beach volley, a game of boules or<br />
even mini golf.<br />
There are five swimming pools and two solariums to unwind in,<br />
as well as the adults-only Spa Ahemon with its open-air terrace<br />
and glittering views.<br />
All the rooms have a brilliant beach spirit with their bright,<br />
contemporary interiors. When you’re not playing a game of<br />
tennis or golf on the hotel’s own fairways, you can explore the<br />
100% organic garden, Eco Finca Tecina, which provides El Laurel<br />
Restaurant for a garden-to-table meal.<br />
You’re spoilt for choice here, as you can tuck into global flavours<br />
and traditional Canarian dishes at any one of Hotel Jardín Tecina’s<br />
11 bars and restaurants, or have a special, private meal dining in<br />
candlelight in a natural cave.<br />
A 7 night holiday at Hotel Jardín Tecina in La Gomera<br />
starts from £975 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Island Paradise<br />
The Seychelles Islands<br />
Breathe in bliss with an island paradise that delights with adventure, wildlife,<br />
and heritage. The Seychelles is that once-in-a-lifetime barefoot luxury experience<br />
that will likely entice you back for more.<br />
There’s an almost ethereal aura about the Seychelles. Unlike other<br />
destinations in the Indian Ocean, this archipelago of 115 islands<br />
is brimming with nature. Perhaps it’s due to the close proximity to<br />
East Africa, or maybe it's the remoteness of its location that<br />
creates this sprawling Garden of Eden.<br />
Whatever the reason, if you’re someone who loves to break up<br />
your beach time with activity and one-of-a-kind experiences,<br />
then the Seychelles is where you need to be.<br />
Every divine Seychelles holiday begins in the archipelago’s<br />
largest island of Mahé, and from the moment you arrive you’ll<br />
be mesmerised by the sway of verdant palm trees, dazzlingly soft<br />
white sands, and shimmering turquoise waters.<br />
“The beaches are delightfully wild and untouched,<br />
remaining unchanged for centuries, which is why<br />
it’s possible to find critically endangered hawksbill<br />
sea turtles nesting on them, a breathtaking sight<br />
that will stir your heart for a lifetime.”<br />
Ben Stratton<br />
Regional Destination Manager at <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel<br />
MAHÉ:<br />
Cultural Treasures, Unearthed<br />
Space out your days between relaxing<br />
on the sands and exploring. Known for its<br />
exotic spices, Mahé is home to the small<br />
capital city of Victoria that houses the<br />
wonderfully tropical botanical gardens,<br />
and the many cultural markets where you’ll<br />
be welcomed by warm and kind-natured<br />
Seychellois people.<br />
There’s also plenty of roaming to do.<br />
Visit the hilltop retreat of Le Jardin Du Roi<br />
Spice Garden, where you can surround<br />
yourself with organic spices and delve<br />
into the island’s historic spice trade, or<br />
get a taste for rum at the Takamaka Rum<br />
Distillery. (The rum drinking culture is<br />
understandable. Many of the islands of<br />
the Seychelles were used to bury<br />
treasure by passing pirates, before being<br />
transformed into coconut and vanilla<br />
plantations in the 18th century.)<br />
Head for dinner at Marie Antoinette,<br />
a traditional colonial mansion that serves<br />
up deliciously authentic Creole cuisine<br />
from a menu that hasn’t changed in 50<br />
years - think battered parrotfish and<br />
aubergine fritters!<br />
Meet wise and friendly<br />
100 year-old giant Aldabra<br />
tortoises in the breeding wildlife<br />
reserve of Mayenne Island.<br />
In southern Mahé, there are also plenty of<br />
local Creole beach restaurants, where you<br />
can feast on freshly-caught fish, prawns<br />
and crab and the Indian influence of<br />
curries, lentils and chutneys while your<br />
feet sink into the divinely warm sand.<br />
If you’re travelling to a resort island, you<br />
might find you’re joined on your journey by<br />
glittering flying fish who quite literally fly<br />
alongside your speedboat.<br />
With all there is to do in Mahé alone, it’s<br />
understandable why most visitors stay here<br />
for the duration of their holiday. But, to<br />
really make the most of the Seychelles, our<br />
advice is to island-hop around three or four<br />
islands in one trip so that you don’t miss out,<br />
as each island has a different vibe, both in<br />
terms of activities and character.<br />
What's more, it’s easy to get around, with<br />
short travel times between islands, making<br />
it suitable for travelling with youngsters.<br />
42 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
PRASLIN:<br />
A Brilliant Brush with Nature<br />
To really get up close to nature, venture to<br />
the small island of Praslin, where at its heart<br />
lies the tucked away Vallée de Mai Nature<br />
Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site<br />
that is brimming with endemic birds, flora,<br />
and fauna.<br />
“It’s possible to develop an entirely<br />
new relationship with wildlife,<br />
particularly when you hear the<br />
distinctly human-sounding whistle<br />
of the Seychelles warbler.”<br />
Even if you’re not much of a walker, head<br />
out on one of three hiking trails that take<br />
you into this emerald forest and you’ll be<br />
rewarded with views to die for. This is one<br />
of only two places on earth where you’ll<br />
find the renowned coco de mer, the world’s<br />
largest seed from a palm tree, which is<br />
steeped in fascinating legend and can<br />
weigh up to 36 kgs!<br />
The Seychelles has no poisonous or<br />
dangerous wildlife, and no predators, so<br />
it’s quite possible to connect with millions<br />
of years of evolution in one holiday, be that<br />
with dinosaur millipedes, the Seychelles<br />
bulbul, skinks and geckos, or fairy terns.<br />
Across the Seychelles you can take day trips<br />
to islands that are dedicated specifically<br />
to birds.<br />
“Praslin arguably holds the world’s<br />
most beautiful 18-hole golf course<br />
at Constance Lemuria, which is<br />
edged by mountainous jungle<br />
and the azure ocean.”<br />
SEYCHELLES<br />
ISLAND HOPPING FOR…<br />
FAMILIES<br />
Constance Ephelia, Mahe & Hilton Seychelles<br />
Labriz Resort & Spa, Silhouette Island<br />
LA DIGUE:<br />
Where Time Stands Still<br />
The one island you must take a day trip to<br />
is the delightfully tiny La Digue.<br />
Everything here runs at a much slower<br />
pace, and life here is as wonderfully<br />
archaic as it is laid-back. In fact, the only<br />
way to get around the island is by bicycle,<br />
even if you’re a president or royal!<br />
La Digue truly takes the cake with its<br />
beaches, such as the secluded Petite Anse<br />
Beach, home to powdery white sands<br />
and granite boulders. Some of La Digue’s<br />
beaches are so well hidden that it’s best to<br />
go with a local guide, and a few can only<br />
be reached by foot, such as the remote but<br />
hauntingly attractive Anse Marron.<br />
INTO THE OCEAN:<br />
Adventure always seems to meet nature<br />
in the Seychelles, not least when you’re<br />
indulging in watersports. The waters<br />
are safe and wonderfully warm here,<br />
with average temperatures of 28°C.<br />
With six marine parks that are home to<br />
colourful marine life and corals, there’s<br />
so much to see!<br />
If you’re lucky, you can witness<br />
bottlenose dolphins while you’re day<br />
tripping on a catamaran, or witness<br />
schools of clownfish while scuba<br />
diving or simply snorkelling near the<br />
shore edge.<br />
You may leave her behind, but the<br />
Seychelles will forever imprint on<br />
your soul.<br />
LUXURY HONEYMOONERS<br />
Anantara MAIA, Mahe & Raffles Seychelles, Praslin<br />
CULTURE LOVERS<br />
Carana Beach & Hotel L’Archipel, Praslin<br />
A 7 night holiday in the Seychelles starts from £1,899 per person. Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
ADVERTORIAL<br />
<strong>Summer</strong>Spirit<br />
Soak into the spirit of Rhodes with a stay<br />
at Sheraton Rhodes Resort.<br />
WITH<br />
SHERATON RHODES RESORT<br />
Located on the northern tip of the island, less than two and a half miles<br />
from the city centre and Old Town, Sheraton Rhodes Resort is ensconced by<br />
gorgeous landscaped gardens, and has a light, contemporary air to it that’s<br />
sprinkled with classical Grecian elements.<br />
You’re perfectly positioned to explore the 2,400 year history around you, as you<br />
venture into ancient cobbled towns, or dig into awe-inspiring UNESCO World<br />
Heritage archaeological sites.<br />
All the resort team are brimming with local knowledge and able to suggest<br />
unique activities, whether that’s renting a bike to head into the city, walking<br />
through the Valley of Butterflies, visiting local vineyards, or hopping on a ferry to<br />
the nearby island of Symi, home to multicoloured houses and hidden coves.<br />
The resort is your ideal home-away-from-home spot, as you stay in breezy<br />
rooms that boast floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the native flora and<br />
Aegean Sea, not to mention crisp marble en suite bathrooms.<br />
Of the four resort restaurants, our favourite has to be Thèa. It has a fabulously<br />
authentic chic vibe as you sit among grand olive trees witnessing breathtaking views<br />
and feast on fresh Greek local produce and flavours. This is what holidays are all about!<br />
What’s more, Sheraton Rhodes Resort is set by its own private beach,<br />
so you can feel sun-kissed as you relax on complimentary sunbeds with<br />
umbrellas, or dive into the sea where you can enjoy an array of watersports,<br />
including stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing.<br />
Families will feel really welcome here, with daily fun programmes, live evening<br />
entertainment, an all-day buffet restaurant, family rooms, and a dedicated kids’<br />
pool and menus.<br />
The three sports courts are an ideal place for you to come together to play<br />
a game of squash, tennis or basketball. There are three magnificent outdoor<br />
swimming pools for you to cool off in, including a peaceful outdoor pool on the<br />
sixth floor. You can also find a sense of wellbeing in the soothing spa with its<br />
Jacuzzi, sauna and indoor pool.<br />
At the heart of the resort set within olive grove gardens is the Main Pool, the<br />
Pool Bar, and the Mediterraneo Restaurant, where you can enjoy poolside<br />
plates of fresh, local bites for leisurely afternoons.<br />
By sunset, when you’re not enjoying the social lounge of Knight’s Bar with its<br />
ambient music and deep sofas, you’ll love the authentic Italian flavours found<br />
at L’Onda. Situated on the terrace, if the delicious antipasti, traditional dishes,<br />
seafood, and refreshing salads don’t blow you away, then the views over the<br />
Aegean Sea will!<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Sheraton Rhodes Resort starts from £999 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
44 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Eat Away<br />
AT EAGLES PALACE & VILLAS<br />
Freshness and flavour are always on the menu<br />
at Eagles Palace & Villas in Halkidiki.<br />
At the five star beach resort of Eagles Palace<br />
& Villas, you’ll find some of Halkidiki’s<br />
finest dining, making it an ideal stay for<br />
food-lovers.<br />
The resort’s restaurants really are one of the<br />
perks of staying here, so you might want<br />
to choose the half-board premium dine<br />
around option, which includes both varied<br />
international buffet meals as well as divine,<br />
fine dining experiences. Catering to all the<br />
dietary requirements and wishes of guests of<br />
all ages, it’s an easy choice to make.<br />
Start each morning with a delicious<br />
breakfast buffet that’s filled with fresh and<br />
local specialities. By evening, you can tuck<br />
into authentic Asian dishes overlooking<br />
the pool, or feast on Italian cuisine as<br />
you watch the sun go down. There’s even<br />
a traditional taverna at the beachfront <br />
Armyra, which honours Greek tapas and<br />
the fresh catch of the day. Here are just a<br />
few highlights!<br />
ELEONAS BY FUGA<br />
You’ll get a taste of Italy at this pretty<br />
al fresco restaurant next to Eagles Villas.<br />
Don your chic apparel and tuck into<br />
award-winning authentic Italian flavours<br />
of wood-fired pizza and succulently fresh<br />
pasta while you look across the bay of<br />
Mount Athos. Time your reservation with<br />
sunset for some memorable views!<br />
KAMARES BY SPONDI<br />
One of the most special spots of Eagles<br />
Palace, Kamares by Spondi is an adultsonly<br />
restaurant located on a wooden<br />
balcony where you can enjoy delightful sea<br />
views across to the island of Ammouliani<br />
while tucking into a gourmet feast. There’s<br />
a three course tasting menu that has<br />
been designed by the esteemed two star<br />
Michelin chef, Arnaud Bignon, and features<br />
seasonally-inspired dishes from around<br />
the globe. For celebratory occasions and<br />
candlelit romance, this is the place to be.<br />
WASHI<br />
Whet your palate with aromatic and spicy<br />
dishes at the resort’s decadent Asian<br />
restaurant. Elevated on an elegant terrace<br />
that looks over the outdoor pool, this is a<br />
majestic space where you can dream away<br />
the night, should you wish to! The pinnacle<br />
of dining here are the live cooking stations<br />
where you can witness the theatre of the<br />
resort’s very talented chefs.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Eagles Palace<br />
& Villas starts from £945 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners<br />
on 01293 765004<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
Best<br />
Beaches<br />
for <strong>2022</strong><br />
There are beaches, and then there are elite beaches.<br />
We know what you want! Soak your toes into the finest golden<br />
sands, as we share our favourite beach destinations for <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
SAADIYAT ISLAND | ABU DHABI<br />
In one of the world’s most exclusive locations, Saadiyat Island<br />
boasts a most beautiful natural coastline where a tropical spirit<br />
meets sophistication and premium service.<br />
Saadiyat Beach is home to five miles of pristine, silky white<br />
sands that are carefully preserved and undeveloped.<br />
Native wildlife is allowed to thrive here, such as the critically<br />
endangered hawksbill turtles, which use parts of the beach to<br />
nest from March to September, and their hidden hatching sites<br />
are protected and patrolled by expert naturalists. Protection<br />
of its surrounding dunes means you access the beach by<br />
elevated wooden boardwalks.<br />
Once on the beach, you have magnificent views over the<br />
Persian Gulf, where if you’re lucky you might spot playful<br />
humpback dolphins in the waters.<br />
Slow down and breathe with a beach yoga class, or take<br />
to the waters for thrilling non-motorised watersports like<br />
windsurfing and sailing. Linger until dusk to embrace the<br />
stunning sunset sights over the sea.<br />
You only need to wander a few minutes to find your own sandy<br />
spot, plus there’s an exclusive beach club where you can<br />
lounge in contemporary comfort while you enjoy exceptional<br />
hospitality. However, to make the most of Saadiyat Beach,<br />
there are several luxury beachfront resorts you can choose.<br />
The eco-conscious Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort has<br />
adopted a revolutionary plastic-free approach, and even<br />
features an on-site marine biologist who shares local wildlife<br />
and sustainable initiatives with guests.<br />
Speak to your Personal Travel Planner about<br />
a luxury beach holiday in Saadiyat Island.<br />
46 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
CORRALEJO | FUERTEVENTURA<br />
In the northeast of Fuerteventura is one of the largest and<br />
most idyllic of beach destinations, the Grandes Playas (Big<br />
Beaches) of Corralejo, located within Corralejo Natural Park.<br />
Five and a half miles of powder white sands are sandwiched<br />
between dunes and hidden coves, and lapping turquoise<br />
waters. The waves here are ideal for surfing and kite surfing,<br />
and you can enjoy the sunshine all-year round.<br />
Across the Atlantic Ocean, the neighbouring Canarian<br />
islands of Lanzarote and Los Lobos shimmer in the distance.<br />
To experience this beach beauty, look no further than the<br />
adults-only oasis of the newly renovated Secrets Bahía<br />
Real Resort & Spa, which opens right onto the sands. Just a<br />
minute’s walk to the beach through tranquil exotic gardens,<br />
the soothing sound of waves will be your heavenly holiday<br />
soundtrack.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Secrets Bahía Real Resort<br />
& Spa in Fuerteventura, starts from £1,199 per person.<br />
SOUTHERN SARDINIA<br />
Sun-drenched Sardinia is your perfect summer and winter<br />
sun holiday spot. However, beyond its warm rays, the south of<br />
this Italian island is also home to some of the Mediterranean’s<br />
finest beaches.<br />
For your ultimate family holiday in style, there’s one resort that<br />
triumphs: the multi-award-winning Forte Village, which is just<br />
a 45 minute drive from the international airport.<br />
This sprawling resort on the Cagliari coast is actually a<br />
resort within a resort, with a total of eight five and four<br />
star hotels and 13 luxurious pool villas tucked away within<br />
beautiful gardens.There are an infinite number of restaurants,<br />
swimming pools and activities tailored to all ages to<br />
appreciate, but one of its main highlights is undoubtedly its<br />
location.<br />
Its private beach is already set up with umbrellas and<br />
loungers so you can just show up! Edged right along<br />
powdery white sands with a mountain that protects it,<br />
Forte Village benefits from its own tropical microclimate,<br />
ensuring it’s never too windy but never too hot.<br />
Even the crystalline turquoise waters feel perfectly heated,<br />
and boast shallow shores that allow non-swimming visitors<br />
to wade safely. If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush then<br />
you can hire a kayak or catamaran, or even receive scuba<br />
diving lessons.<br />
Once you’re in this sublime corner of Sardinia, you’ll find it<br />
hard to leave.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Forte Village in Sardinia,<br />
starts from £1,679 per person.<br />
Spring / <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
BEST BEACHES<br />
BELLE MARE | MAURITIUS<br />
GRAND ANSE | GRENADA<br />
Winning the crown for this year’s best Caribbean beach<br />
has to be the award-winning Grand Anse, located in<br />
the exclusive southwest area of Saint George Parish.<br />
This beach was also featured on Holidaying with Jane<br />
McDonald: The Caribbean.<br />
It’s hard to believe, but this amazing sweep of sparkling<br />
fine sands is only a few minutes’ drive from the international<br />
airport. Sandwiched between verdant hills and the vibrant<br />
blue of the Caribbean Sea, the beach stretches across two<br />
miles in a striking crescent moon shape, allowing it to never<br />
feel too crowded.<br />
One of our standout Indian Ocean beaches is Belle Mare in<br />
Mauritius, which literally translates as Beautiful Sea! Situated<br />
on the wild and unspoiled east coast of the island, you’ll find<br />
miles of tree-lined soft white sands stretching out, dotted with<br />
chic restaurants, bars and resorts.<br />
One of our favourite resorts here is the thatched-roof<br />
haven of LUX* Belle Mare, where you can dip into in-house<br />
watersports, beachfront yoga classes, or a glass-bottom boat<br />
ride. Close to the beach, a beautiful lagoon is teeming with<br />
protected coral, which you can discover while snorkelling.<br />
When you’re not embracing your beach bliss, you can tee off<br />
at one of three nearby top-notch golf courses, luxuriate in the<br />
spa, or visit the resort’s own organic farm, located a short five<br />
minute walk away.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at LUX* Belle Mare<br />
in Mauritius, starts from £1,665 per person.<br />
It’s so easy to fill your days as you flit between swimming in<br />
the sea and sunbathing in your tropical surroundings, with<br />
swaying palms and almond trees as your shade.<br />
For your dreamy stay in Grand Anse, it’s got to be the<br />
family-run Coyaba Beach Resort, where you can enjoy<br />
a premium, all-inclusive stay, which boasts an on-site<br />
PADI diving centre.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Coyaba Beach Resort<br />
in Grenada, starts from £1,365 per person.<br />
48 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Luxury, Redefined<br />
WITH BLUE PALACE<br />
Find a sense of stillness in your own Cretan haven at the ever-so elegant Blue Palace.<br />
Crete’s popularity might make you think it’s crowded and busy,<br />
but all you need to do to challenge this view is head to Blue<br />
Palace, where you can soak in the Greek island’s wild beauty<br />
and timeless essence.<br />
Tucked away between the chic port town of Elounda and the<br />
sleepy fishing village of Plaka, Blue Palace lulls you into a slower,<br />
gentler pace.<br />
You and your family will find genuinely warm hospitality as you<br />
unearth the region’s local culture and historic roots, be that<br />
through learning to make dolma (stuffed vine leaves) in an al<br />
fresco kitchen, or sailing off into the Aegean Sea on a caique<br />
(a traditional fishing boat).<br />
You’ll feel a million miles away from reality as<br />
you reconnect with your family - with watersports<br />
lessons, open-air cinema nights, beachside BBQ<br />
parties at Blue Palace’s own Isola Beach Club,<br />
or when visiting the organic garden together.<br />
This is what we call luxury redefined.<br />
To elevate your stay, choose the Haven Collection, the resort’s<br />
premium collection of exclusive and discreet suites and villas,<br />
where you’ll immediately feel at home - yet won’t have to lift<br />
a finger.<br />
Revel in VIP service and amenities, such as an in-suite check-in<br />
and unpacking service, in-room dining, a private heated pool,<br />
a pillow menu, high-tech in-room entertainment with streaming<br />
services, complimentary daily stretching or yoga sessions by the<br />
beach, and a complimentary premium minibar that’s replenished<br />
every day, to name but a few!<br />
The ideal way to start your day? Tuck into a scrumptious and<br />
secluded Haven Breakfast at the seasonal, à la carte pebblemosaic<br />
courtyard of the resort’s star eatery, Anthós Restaurant.<br />
Enjoy exclusive access to The Beach Haven, a private section<br />
of the beach with top-notch beach service and amenities.<br />
The Haven Concierge will be on hand throughout your stay<br />
to create bespoke services and activities for you.<br />
The Haven Collection is your dream-come-true, authentically<br />
Greek family holiday.<br />
A 7 night holiday staying at Blue Palace in Crete starts from £1,479 per person.<br />
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
Spring / <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
Why<br />
SOVEREIGN LUXURY TRAVEL<br />
GREAT VALUE<br />
We stand for affordable luxury. You'll always receive<br />
exceptional experiences at competitive prices.<br />
All our prices include flights, complimentary lounge<br />
passes, and private transfers as standard.<br />
EXPERIENCED<br />
We’ve been crafting luxury holidays for our<br />
guests for 50 years and know the industry.<br />
We are fully ATOL and ABTA bonded and strictly<br />
managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).<br />
TAILORED<br />
Your luxury holiday is crafted just for you,<br />
based on your interests and needs.<br />
Expect personalised service as standard,<br />
for a smooth and hassle-free holiday.<br />
EXCLUSIVE<br />
You’ll always benefit from exclusive offers and<br />
upgrades thanks to our great, long-term partnerships.<br />
Enjoy various perks, including<br />
complimentary airport lounge access.<br />
EXPERT<br />
You’ll have a single point of contact with<br />
your own assigned Personal Travel Planner.<br />
Benefit from our destination expertise, 24/7<br />
support, and up-to-the-minute travel advice.<br />
TRUSTED<br />
Book with confidence with our high<br />
guest satisfaction rates.<br />
Your safety is our priority. We use tried and tested<br />
accommodation, and provide full flexibility.<br />
Find out what other <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel guests say about us on the independent review site Feefo<br />
50 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com
Where's your next<br />
Holiday?<br />
At <strong>Sovereign</strong> Luxury Travel, we are part of a family of brands who live and breathe travel.<br />
These include Citalia, experts in discovering the real Italy, and American Holidays,<br />
specialising in tailor-made holidays to America, Canada and the Caribbean,<br />
where the possibilities are unlimited.<br />
Browse their collections of great Italian escapes and awe-inspiring journeys.<br />
• Private & Tailormade Holidays<br />
• Handpicked Accommodation & Destinations<br />
• Small Group Escorted Tours<br />
Citalia.com<br />
Inspired?<br />
Book Your <strong>2022</strong>/2023 Holiday Now And Save Later. Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
Alternatively visit citalia.com or americanholidays.com<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
so Journ
EYEBROW<br />
To book or find out more, visit <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com<br />
or speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765004<br />
WINNER<br />
52 <strong>Sovereign</strong>.com