Jetsettersblog

The charming Alpine town of Chamonix boasts a whole range of exciting outdoor activities as well as numerous relaxing alternatives to keep everyone in the family happy. From mountain biking and Canyoning to arts and crafts workshops, music festivals and lake-side bathing, a holiday in the mountains makes for an exciting and affordable alternative to the traditional family beach break.

Activities:

When the weather is good, there is plenty to do with the kids outdoors: there are easy hikes through the amazing scenery at the foot of Mont Blanc, a child specific high ropes course (Kids Arbre Adventure) and horse riding. The cable cars and mountain railways operate year round to transport you up to the stunning glaciers and shimmering mountain lakes with minimal effort. You can also take mountain bikes up the lifts for a more adventurous descent! For those who prefer to be water based, there is Canyoning (suitable for 8yrs +) and Hydrospeeding. The Les Planards offers a safe children’s play ground with Trampolines, climbing frames, sandpits and more! Les Planards also has the longest summer luge in France suitable for children over 6yrs (younger children can be accompanied by an adult) which winds through the forest for 2km.

If the weather is against you, Chamonix has many options for inside entertainment. There is a 25m indoor swimming pool which has a separate children’s pool with bubble jets and a water slide; a world class climbing centre with a learning wall for children; and an eight lane bowling alley complete with games arcade. New this season there is also Le Petit VIP – which supplies arts and crafts workshops and child care for any ages.

If you are hoping to have some time away from the kids there are English speaking day care centres, or qualified Nannies who can come to your accommodation – full contact details can be easily found through the Tourist Information centre. The Chamonix Centre Sportif also hosts a kid’s Miniclub from 1st July to 30th August which gives access to the centre’s facilities (swimming, climbing, tennis, basket-ball, ice-skating, etc.) and to an organised hike & picnic on the Wednesday.

Most major events in Chamonix are also Child friendly – for example the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Marathon (25th June) has a Mini Cross section for children up to 15yrs old, with events such as the 800mt sprint and a 5km cross country. There is also the Fete de la Musique (June 21st) – a family occasion which starts in the afternoon and spills out across Chamonix with free music and outside stages.

You should definitely visit the Tourist Information centre on arrival for a complete weekly list of free organised entertainment for Children which run throughout the summer which include nature walks, craft classes and sports competitions.

Accommodation:

The range and quality of accommodation on offer in the mountains is often far superior and much better value than the apartments and villas available in the more traditional beach-based summer holiday destinations.

From just £99 per person (based on a family group of 10 sharing) rudechalets™ offer a beautiful and well-equipped, self-catered chalet accommodation in Chamonix. All bedrooms are ensuite each with XBOX 360s / LCD screens. There is a table football, media centre, fully equipped kitchen, cozy lounge with wide-screen satellite TV as well as a garden, huge terrace with outdoor furniture and Bar-B-Q.

To reduce the amount of luggage families need to bring out with them, rudechalets™ summer chalets come fully equipped with high chairs, travel cots, a baby bath and plastic plates and cups. We can also organise mountain buggy rental, places in the local crèche, an in chalet nanny service, activity guides and return airport transfers from Geneva if required.

Getting there: Geneva airport is just 90 minutes transfer by car (rudechalets™ can organise return airport transfers) and Chamonix is just a 9 hour drive from Calais.

For more information & bookings: please visit www.rudechalets.com ; or contact the rudechalets™ team: 08700687030 // info@rudechalets.com

Prestige Holidays (www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/bermuda 01425 480400) is offering massive reductions on Bermuda breaks at 11 hotels through its “Endless Summer” promotion.

Holidays lead in at £1309 per person for a September break at Grotto Bay including: room only accommodation, return flights on British Airways from Gatwick, private transfers, the ‘Endless Summer’ discount and two free nights accommodation, saving £821 per booking.

The promotion is valid for bookings made befpre 25 October 2011 and available for travel between 23 August and 31 October 2011.

Enjoy a week at the Coco Reef hotel in September from £1409 per person. Package includes accommodation in a double room on room only with return flights from Gatwick and private transfers. The price includes a total saving of £636 per booking.

Prestige is also offering connecting flights to London Gatwick from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey and Manchester from just £61 return per person including taxes.

Other hotels taking part in the promotion include: Cambridge Beaches, Elbow Beach, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, The Fairmont Southampton, Newstead Belmont Hills, The Reefs, Rosedon, Pompano and Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa

For more details on Prestige Holidays’ Bermuda programme call 01425 480400 or consult the web site www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/bermuda

A holiday apartment near the Lake District has fought off competition from more than 45,000 holiday homes across the world and been crowned the overall winner of Holiday Lettings 2011 Hall of Fame (http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/halloffame ).

Holiday Lettings, a Tripadvisor company, showcases almost 50,000 holiday homes in 116 countries, yet declared KendalCottages.com’s luxury apartment as Overall Winner, as well as winner of the Apartments category.

This beautiful two-bedroomed apartment is situated in the heart of Kendal and has stunning views of the River Kent and Kendal Castle. Inside, it has been finished to a very high standard with luxurious fixtures and fittings, flatscreen TVs, a Bose sound system, docking station and free WiFi.

Owned and run by Paul and Becky Johnson of Kendal Holiday Cottages Ltd. (http://www.kendalcottages.com ), themselves Kendal residents, the property enjoys a tranquil location on the river and offers easy access to both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

Paul Johnson said: “Kendal is a great location for a holiday or short break and we are delighted to see this, and our property, being recognised with this Holiday Lettings award. To be the overall winner from so many properties is really quite an honour.”

For more information, see http://www.kendalcottages.com

with Songlines Music Travel
August 11-16, 2011
Tour price: £495 pp
Flights from £275 pp

Balkan madness and brass bands like you’ve never heard them. Every year 300,000 people descend on the village of Guča, home to just 3,000 inhabitants, for the Brass Band Festival and its famous Golden Trumpet competition. Songlines Music Travel’’s six-day trip includes three evenings at the wild festival with accommodation right in the heart of the village. There’s also a chance to get a taste of Belgrade nightlife. It’s an unrivalled opportunity to experience the biggest, brassiest and Balkanist festival in Europe.

Meet your tour leader: Vlad Jankovic

“After a great meal in Belgrade under the wing of tour guide Vlad, it was soon apparent that we were in for something amazing. Namely Vlad. No quick sketch can do him justice. A man physically halfway between Borat and Brüno, his razor-sharp humour with a definite camp edge had us crying with laughter the whole week.”
Joe Walker, on last year’s trip

For information and reservations, call Songlines Music Travel on 020 8505 2582 or songlines@thegroupscompany.com  or visit www.songlinesmusictravel.com

Songlines Music Travel tours are operated by The Tailor Made Groups Company ATOL 9349
The cost of the tour is per person based on two sharing and includes:
Tickets to excursions, events or festivals as detailed in the itinerary
Accommodation and meals as detailed in the itinerary
The services of a Songlines Travel Leader and services of local guides

Flights can be booked through Songlines Music Travel (costs shown) and include transfers from and to the airport at each destination.
The cost does NOT include:
Vaccinations
Visa fees
Optional tours and excursions
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, phone calls, laundry and room service charges
Tipping
Songlines is the leading magazine covering world music. Established in 1999, it is published eight times a year and as well as covering new CD releases, artists on tour, and international music stories, it publishes regular festival profiles and worldwide city music guides. More than 30 of these profiles and guides are archived on the website www.songlines.co.uk
The Tailor-Made Groups Company specialises in organising bespoke group tours for organisations such as Songlines. Derek Moore is the chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and has 35 years experience in the travel market. www.thegroupscompany.com

More than 7,400 quirky cottages, beachfront houses & city apartments available to rent in the UK

With the weather forecast looking optimistic for this summer in the UK, why not skip flying this year and book a holiday at home to enjoy the diversity our country has to offer? From vibrant cities, arresting coastlines and sandy beaches, to rolling valleys, mountains and hills, there’s loads to keep you entertained. www.HomeAway.co.uk , the UK’s number one holiday rentals website, offers a great choice for UK holidaymakers with over 7,400 properties to rent across the country.

Get away from it all in a farmhouse in the Lake District, or test your golf skills at St Andrews and rent a beautiful Victorian townhouse just 20 minutes from the green. Alternatively, spend a romantic weekend in a cosy apartment in Edinburgh, or enjoy a fun-filled family beach break in a house in Cornwall. Whether you’re looking for a laidback holiday by the seaside, an activity break, a spot of golf, or some serious pampering, there will be a holiday home to suit on HomeAway.co.uk.

So, if you don’t fancy kicking off your holiday with queues, stress and endless waiting around at the airport, choose a UK holiday and book one of the properties below or browse www.HomeAway.co.uk for thousands more.

Prices quoted are per property per week for the summer season and correct at the time of going to press.

Luxurious converted farmhouse near Haweswater in the Lake District
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £950 per week

Rose Farm is a beautiful 17th century large country house that has been recently converted from a Lake District farmhouse and attached barns. This spacious, detached and secluded house is located in the small, quiet and very picturesque hamlet of Rosgill in the North East corner of the Lake District National Park. The house is presented and equipped to the highest standards and still retains much of the character of the original old farmhouse.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p825453

Victorian townhouse close to St Andrews, Scotland
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. £1,140 per week

This is a handsome Victorian townhouse quietly situated in Earlsferry, with a long sandy beach just 100 yards from the house. It comfortably sleeps eight in four bedrooms and features a private garden to the front with off road parking for two vehicles. There are two golf courses, tennis courts, a bowling green, driving range, putting green, water sports centre plus horse riding nearby. Historic St Andrews is just 20 minutes away by car.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p815074

Modern beach house in Cornwall
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. From £1,314 per week

Located in the South Cornwall town of Seaton, Seaspray is a modern beach house featuring a decked balcony with panoramic views both out to sea and inland over the countryside. The spacious and modern open plan living area utilises the abundance of natural light and compliments the distinguishing features including a log burner and unique artwork on display. The three bedrooms are all spacious with the master bedroom leading out onto the balcony overlooking the sea. To the rear of the property there is a large enclosed garden with a small patio area ideal for alfresco dining. Just a short stroll from the property itself is Seaton beach, providing fun for all the family and an ideal place for children.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p817787

Lovely apartment near the city centre in Edinburgh
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2. From £749 per week

This is a lovely large first floor flat with high ceilings overlooking a private garden in an exclusive Georgian cul de sac. The large living room, which overlooks the beautiful private Queen Street Gardens, has a separate dining area. The apartment has a secure parking bay at the rear of the building and is located in a very quiet area, yet close to all attractions such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p406374

Pump up those tyres and saddle up! The new National Forest Cycle Centre at Hicks Lodge, near Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, will be open for business on Wednesday 1 June.

Following the opening ceremony at 11 am, it’ll be ready, steady, go for the first cyclists to try out the eight miles of off-road trails. The Centre is already attracting plenty of attention and with the opening date falling within the half-term holiday, there will be no shortage of cyclists eager to try out the twists and turns of the different grades of trail.

The new café and the bike hire and repair shop will be in full swing, and there will be guided rides and other activities throughout the day. The trails are perfect for family and novice cycling, with plenty of opportunities for youngsters to hone their skills.

The £1.5 million project features a stunning glass and timber building that uses the latest environmentally-friendly technology. It is heated by a wood chip boiler, generates energy through solar panels and recycles rainwater.

The centre has been developed by the National Forest Company and site-owners theForestryCommission. It will be run byPurpleMountain, which manages similar cycle centres inNorth Yorkshireand Northumberland.

Alan Leather, project co-ordinator on behalf of the National Forest Company, said: ‘The centre is going to be a great way to introduce families and beginners to easy, fun cycling in a beautiful environment. Youngsters will be able to learn to ride, practise their skills or even get started on racing, while families can enjoy the surfaced trails and explore the attractive woodlands.’

Alan Dowell, area forester for the Forestry Commission added: ‘This exciting new centre, designed especially for families, offers something unique and different from our other sites in theMidlands.’

He continued: ‘The extensive traffic free trails and high quality facilities look set to be a big hit with a wide range of visitors to The National Forest.’

Vicky Griffin fromPurpleMountainsaid: “We are very excited to be working with the National Forest Company and can’t wait to see everyone get pedalling!’

The Cycle Centre is funded by the 6Cs Strategic Green Infrastructure Growth Fund and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.

June 1st will be the first of a series of exciting events to mark the opening of the Centre: see more at www.visitnationalforest.co.uk

Brand new low-fare partnership to lure in budget conscious travellers

Iceland Express is pleased to announce that it is the official partner of Hostelling International Iceland.

The news couldn’t have come at a better time for cash-strapped Brits, particularly in the wake of the rise of tuition fees, set to come into play in 2012.

With flights from just £89 one-way from London Gatwick to Reykjavik and rooms from just £15 in a choice of hostels – Iceland is fast becoming the perfect destination for the savvy student traveller.

“Many students were hoping to take a gap year before starting university in 2012, but sadly this is no longer a reality for some. With low cost flights and accommodation on offer, Iceland is the perfect destination to have the trip of a lifetime, at a good price, says Matthias Imsland,” Iceland Express’ CEO.

This is also welcome news for the UK’s northern residents as Iceland Express is launching flights from Edinburgh to Reykjavik in June.

For reservations go to www.icelandexpress.com  or call 0118 321 8384.
For more information, please visit www.hostel.is

Wine tourism or ‘oenotourisme’ explores the world of wine.

Get right to the heart of the Champagne-Ardenne region and its vineyards. Pleasure and culture, fascinating and original, unusual and unique – we have a hundred and one ways to describe a gastronomic adventure combining wine, culture and sensory pleasure, and all just a short hop from Calais.

Appreciation & tasting:
Oenology workshops, cellar visits & tastings, cookery courses…

discovery & adventure:
A 4×4 vineyard ‘safari’, a unique treetop champagne bar, an innovative new interactive museum…

Special events & highlights :
Vino Passion wine fair in May, Route de Champagne Festival in August…

See www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk  for more details. These are just a few ideas to explore further:

Learning and blending with the Dumont family (10)

With enormous expertise behind them, the Dumont family offers champagne lovers the chance to take part in blending ‘vins clairs’ (the base wines used for champagne) and reserve wines taken from vintages (specific classified wines), different grape varieties (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and different years. On this half-day course, your aim is to discover the wine combinations that most closely match the taste of Maison Dumont champagnes, while trying to predict the evolution of your blend of non-sparkling wines into your own sparkling champagne a few months later.
Champagne Dumont, Champignol-lèz-Mondeville
Tel: +33 (0)3 25 27 45 95
www.champagnedumont.fr

Gourmet Fridays in the medieval cellars of Châlons-en-Champagne (51)
The medieval cellars of Châlons-en-Champagne, dating from the XIII and XV centuries, covering 200m², bear witness to the wealth of the town in medieval times. This is the historical setting for foodie heaven, held one Friday per month from October to April. These events include information and tastings on a chosen gastronomic theme. The workshops are hosted by chefs or champagne producers, depending on the theme of the day. Visitors spend an hour and a half in a subtle combination of gastronomy and heritage that has to be tasted to be believed.
Châlons-en-Champagne Tourist Office
Tel: +33 (0)3 26 65 17 89
www.chalons-tourisme.com

Cuisine and wines based on flowers

Florence PELLETIER is a well-known producer of the specialist Haute-Marne wine, ‘Vin de Pays de Coiffy’, but has also developed an original range of wines made from flowers. Florence offers classes in cooking using flower wines to invent creative and delicious dishes with fresh and unusual flavours and guides you on how to choose the wine to best accompany them. Tastings are also offered of her 8 enchanting flower wines.
Florence Pelletier, Coiffy
Tel: +33(0)3 25 90 21 12
www.florence-pelletier-coiffy.com

C Comme …Champagne
A unique concept, C Comme… (C is for..Champagne) brings together 45 champagne producers, to provide a glimpse of all the flavours that the Champagne region has to offer, including the other ‘Appellation Contrôlée’ products: Ratafia (aperitif made from grape juice and local ‘marc’), Coteau Champenois (local still wines), Rosé des Riceys, Marc and Fine de Champagne (the local spirits). With over 350 products to choose from and tastings available on-site, everyone can find the perfect champagne to suit them and there’s a great deli and gift shop too.

C Comme….Champagne de Proprietaires, Epernay
Tel: +33(0)3 26 32 09 55
www. c-comme.fr

Perching Bar
This unique champagne bar is 5.5 metres above the ground, amid the treetops in the Arboxygène park in Verzy. Offering stunning views over the Champagne region, visitors access the bar across 3 gently inclining suspended wooden footbridges. The combination of nature and champagne will prove a delight for wine lovers and eco-warriors alike! The bar offers a range of champagnes, from the biggest champagne houses right down to small local producers. Two new Perching Pods in the same sleek contemporary style will offer accommodation for visitors from June.

Perching Bar, Verzy – Tel: +33 (0)6 07 67 94 42 – www.perchingbar.eu

Pré en Bulles: a new champagne museum
This new concept, the only of its kind in France, provides a range of experiences linked closely with champagne and wine tourism. Located in the heart of the Montagne de Reims area, Pré en Bulles (literally “Field of Bubbles”) is the perfect place to discover more about this exceptional drink. Have fun learning all about how champagne is made through 12 animated scenes and enjoy a special show dedicated to the ‘art de vivre’ of champagne, narrated by your ‘android’ host, Dom Perignon himself. Pré en Bulles also offers 5 beautifully presented gîtes and 3 charming B&B guest rooms with a ’3 keys’ rating.
Pré en Bulles, Trépail
Tel: +33(0)3 26 53 50 00
www.pre-en-bulles.com

NEW! – ŒnoVasion . An unusual, fun trip in a high-spec 4×4 vehicle, exploring the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims. Find out all about champagne, its relationship with the earth, the climate, the landscape and the people that make it. A tasting session in the heart of a vineyard completes this fascinating and unforgettable excursion. A flight over the region by helicopter can also be arranged.
ŒnoVasion Champenoise, Verzy
Tel: +33(0)6 38 83 52 57
www.oenovasion.com

Vino Passion fair (51) – 20–22 May 2011
Vino Passion, a new public fair dedicated to wine tourism in France, aims to bring people together to discover the wine regions and their products around the key words: wine and the art of French living.
Le Millésium venue in Epernay will host the inaugural event with 160 exhibitors divided into three themed areas: “French wine tourism”; “European & Foreign”; and “Agricultural tourism”. Interactive workshops, oenology, wine therapy and gastronomy will run during the three day show, as well as events hosted by ‘brotherhood’ associations, cellar tours and museum visits in the vicinity.
Salon Vino Passion, Epernay
Tel: +33 (0)4 37 22 15 15
www.salon-vinopassion.fr  / www.vino-passion.fr

Route de Champagne Festival – August
Champagne is the undisputed king of the party! The ‘ticket’ for this event is a “champagne flute passport” (8 Euros) from Bar-sur-Seine in the Aube département and other villages along the Champagne Route. It is accompanied by a booklet of vouchers for entry into participating wineries and sampling the champagnes on offer. Events are planned in every village, all decked out for the occasion, with gourmet lunches hosted by wine experts, exhibitions on champagne, street entertainment, and more.
Association de promotion du vignoble champenois
Tel: +33 (0)3 25 43 72 72
www.routeduchampagne.com

For more information, award-winning downloadable brochures and a wide range of suggestions for weekends and short break ideas in the region, see www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk  or call Tel: (00 33) 3 26 21 85 80.

For those looking for an exotic summer getaway minus the expensive price tag, long-haul specialists Tropical Sky are offering great savings on a selection of far-flung destinations this July and August. With plenty to offer both families and couples, the Caribbean is still a firm summer favourite and with savings of up to £520 per person, it’s sure to become even more popular this year.

From relaxing retreats for couples wanting to spoil themselves to larger beach resorts offering a selection of activities to keep children entertained, Tropical Sky has a Caribbean treat to suit every type of guest. Suggestions include:

Barbados: Ideal For Couples Looking For A Relaxing Retreat:

Located on the stunning shores of the Platinum West Coast, the charming four-star Colony Club by Elegant Hotels in Barbados offers the perfect romantic setting for couples wanting to spend quality time together. Guests can relax on the beach as well as enjoy a selection of complimentary watersports, four freshwater lagoons, Jacuzzi and spa services at the beauty salon. The resort also offers a fine selection of dining options and intimate beach dinners.

A seven-night package to the Colony Club by Elegant Resorts with Tropical Sky starts from £1,199 per person (saving £520 per person) in July and from £1,139 per person (saving £430 per person) in August. The price includes scheduled flights from Gatwick, accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, taxes, transfers and surcharges.

Grenada: Family Fun In The Sun:

Ideal for families wanting to jet off far away as soon as school’s out, the Grenadian by rex resorts in Grenada offers a range of activities as well as a popular kids’ club. Surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and overlooking the stunning Tamarind Bay, this is the ultimate family-friendly resorts. Guests can enjoy a selection of watersports, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, adult and child swimming pools, restaurants and bars.

A seven-night package to the Grenadian by rex resorts with Tropical Sky starts from £3,596 for a family of four (saving up to £240 per adult). Valid for departure on 20 July, the price includes flights from Gatwick with Monarch, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, taxes, transfers and surcharges.

Barbados: Perfect For An Adventure Summer Holiday:

For families looking for a tropical summer holiday, Almond Beach Village in Barbados is an excellent all-round beach resort that features extensive land and water-based activities to keep children entertained while adults can relax on the stunning beach. Facilities include a selection of kids’ clubs, 10 swimming pools, fitness centre, tennis courts and a selection of restaurants and bars.

A seven-night package to the four-star Almond Beach Village with Tropical Sky starts from £4,676 for a family of four (saving up to £1,443). Valid for selected departures between 15 July and 14 August, the price includes scheduled flights from Gatwick, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, taxes, transfers and surcharges.

To book any of these offers visit www.tropicalsky.co.uk  or telephone 0844 332 9349

Summer is fast approaching and with it being a new decade, we thought we’d celebrate 2011’s summer with our top list of 11 alternative destinations.

The list :

INDONESIA – The treasure-trove of experiences on the islands of Java, Lombok, Bali, Flores and Sumbawa are experiences just waiting for you to discover. Fire breathing dragons? Well sort of, Rinca and Komodo Islands are two of the only places on earth to see these three metre long , man eating lizards living out of captivity. And finally the smoking volcanoes of Flores and in particular the stunning Mount Kelimutu crater lakes will have you wandering why you didn’t visit Indonesia sooner.

SAMOA – Journeying to Samoa may already be taking a step off the beaten track for many but we have been scratching under the surface (quite a bit) and have uncovered lots.

MONTPELLIER – We think Montpellier is how the south of France should be: a stylish unassuming place exuding the best that our Gallic neighbours have to offer – great wines, amazing seafood and of course that je ne sais quoi. Nestling quietly on the river Lez, between neighbours Perpignan and been-there-done-that Nice, Montpellier is the fast becoming the hot spot in France.

PANAMA – This uber cool pais continues to impress and we simply can’t wait for our next trip to go hang out with the Panamanians. June sees the temperatures soar into the mid-thirties ensuring you come back with that killer tan; and with almost 3,000 kilometres of coastline, you won’t have any trouble escaping the crowds here.

TURKEY – This summer don’t miss out on visiting little known Cesme, our hidden outpost far from the masses of Izmir. This gem is home to many of the most ancient historical sites in Europe as well as some of the prettiest coastline we have ever come across. Cesme (literally meaning ‘fountain’ in Turkish) has already soaked us with its good vibes for this summer and we can’t wait to take you there.

SOUTH CAROLINA – It’s going to be a sizzling summer in the Palmetto State. Having seen Charl Schwartzel triumph at the Masters in Augusta, we’re out to show you some of the delights on offer if you stray off the beaten track. There are some weird and wonderful things out there; South Carolina is the world capital of miniature golf, has the smallest police station on earth and is home to 90’s rockers Hootie and the Blowfish…interested? …well there is a little something out there to grab everyone’s attention.

PHILLIPPINES – Encompassing 7,107 islands, the Philippines is high on our list of must go to destinations this summer. It really is a great place to combine that Robinson Crusoe beach experience with a foray into virgin rainforests with a splash of adventure thrown in. If beaches are your thing, soft powder white sand and warm electric blue waters are the norm here, so you won’t be disappointed.

BASILICATA, ITALY – On the Tyrrhenian Sea lies an undiscovered land of picture postcard rolling hills, tiny fishing villages and miles of white sandy beaches. Visit the Basilicata this summer and the promise of long balmy evenings on a vine-covered terrace with Pinto in hand is not one that will be broken easily. Our idea of heaven is to set up camp in one of the charming mountain villages of the Lucanian Dolomites and rent a vintage car to exploring the surrounding Mezzogiorno. We recommend basing yourself in the Maratea district, a real hideaway for those few in the know.

ETHIOPIA – Our new favourite, Ethiopia is a colossal highland complex intertwined with dramatic valleys and vast placid lakes that are sure to thrill. Explore architectural relics in Lalibella, trek the rugged Simien Moutains before skimming across great lakes dodging crocodiles. And for an unforgettable way to round off your African experience, soak up the hospitality of one of the untouched tribes residing outside Jinka. Live like the locals with an overnight stay in an indigenous village learning the customs of skin painting and lip disking. Throughout Ethiopia we have got a number of traditional accommodation options lined up just for you all with a dusting of western luxury…naturally.

COOK ISLANDS – All of the Cook Islands 15 gems lie at the centre of the Polynesian triangle. Whilst the hand full of tourists who do visit this tiny nation usually head for capital Rarotonga, we have been exploring what else is on offer. Our favourite paradise is Aitutaki in the southern group of islands endowed with powder white sands and thousands of swaying palm trees. These islands are nothing short of turquoise blue lagoon, but we especially loved checking out the outlying motus (islands) including the legendary One Foot Island, regularly voted as the best beach in Australia and the Pacific.

MEXICO – Mexico is our hot tip for this summer and it’s easy to see why. Away from the somewhat overwhelming capital city, Oaxaca is a charming colonial town in the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains. Be sure to stop by Mina Street where the smell of raw cocoa bean hangs thick in the air before heading to the Iglesia de Santo Domingo for a spot of culture in this 16th century beauty. High in the Michoacan Mountains, Lake Patzcuaro is considered the doorway to heaven by the indigenous Purepecho Indians, and with good reason. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface, and can’t wait to reveal all this summer.

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