Spirit Away Travel Magazine
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Spirit Away Travel Welcome... Welcome to the latest issue of our regular travel magazine For those of you who are looking for a special cruise we where we hope to entice you with a varied selection of are pleased to feature two very special cruise companies. worldwide holiday ideas and destinations to treat Traditional gulets are an excellent way for couples and yourself, partner, family or a group of friends to a well- small groups to explore the eastern Mediterranean. earned break. Alternatively, small capacity luxury cruising with a touch of French panache on one of Ponant’s mega-yachts offers The new buzz word in luxury travel is experiential. This a chance to explore exceptional, lesser frequented reflects a growing trend by discerning travellers for corners of the world’s oceans including Antarctica, Alaska privileged experiences. We hope we have caught the and the southern Pacific. flavour within our “Trips of a Lifetime” feature on page 18, where we have highlighted a number of unforgettable Whether you are looking for a “trip of a lifetime”, a beach holiday ideas like a private dinner for 2 on the Great Wall getaway, a luxury city break or just news on some of the of China or a trip to the Ice Hotel in northern Sweden in world’s finest hotels and resorts we are sure this issue will search of the Northern Lights. All it needs is a bit of inspire you, so sit back, have a read, then give us a call to inspiration! discuss your travel plans. As usual we have a healthy selection of European Caroline Maxwell-Scott features, and with Summer 2015 looming it is becoming m: 07775 736697 t: 01883 722656 clear that the Mediterranean countries should be very e: [email protected] popular options against a weakening Euro. Even so, families would be wise to book their July and August Melanie Kelly breaks swiftly as increased demand will see all the t: 01732 860503 m: 07785 706623 favourites booking out quickly. We have a few e: [email protected] suggestions to get you started. Nicola Scott t: 020 8287 0404 m: 07885 990505 Contents Find us on Facebook and Twitter e: [email protected] 4 6 10 18 3 Travel News 12 Miami 4 Grand Tour of Italy 14 Joie de Vivre - Ponant 6 Gulet Cruising 16 The World of Aman 8 A FAN of the Mediterranean 18 Trips of a Lifetime 10 Happy Families Published by Travelspeak Limited - 020 8944 6050 www.travelspeak.co.uk Travelspeak Published by www.spiritawaytravel.co.uk Travel News New journeys for 2015 onboard the A new look for the suites at Elounda most elegant train in South East Asia Peninsula and free half board this summer Belmond is launching two new journeys on the Eastern & Oriental Express in 2015. The five night ‘Fables of the Peninsula’ from Singapore to Bangkok on 29 September Elounda Peninsula occupies an outstanding and exclusive 2015 and the two night ‘The Ancient Temples of Lanna’ waterfront location overlooking the Bay of Mirabello in departs on its inaugural journey on 15 October 2015 from Elounda, Crete. Offering the very highest standards of Bangkok to Chiang-Mai. accommodation, this boutique all-suite hotel within a resort (Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort - see page 11) has benefitted from ‘Fables of the Peninsula’, limited to just 60 guests in State a recent programme of renovation to the suites giving guests and Presidential Cabins, begins with a night at the an enriched experience for summer 2015 from the extensive legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore, before a 5-night selection of suites that all share easy access to the sea. exploration that showcases the very best of peninsular Malaysia visiting Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands Furthermore, guests can take advantage of a superb free and Huay Yang before disembarking in Bangkok. upgrade to half board when booking a One Bedroom Peninsula Collection Suite with Private Pool. Extra refinements with the new Club®Level at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama The Ritz-Carlton, Abama has introduced a new Club®Level offering an exclusive sanctuary, providing the comfort, convenience and privacy of a hotel within a hotel. With its own dedicated team on hand to offer an extra level of service, they take care of all guest needs ensuring an exceptional experience within sumptuous surroundings. The Club®Level has 19 deluxe rooms and 2 suites, all with ocean views, and is located on the 10th floor of the Moorish-inspired Citadel. Guests have access to the Club Lounge which is a peaceful and exclusive retreat for families and couples offering a range of benefits and culinary delights throughout the day thus ensuring a prime setting for the ultimate escape. The Canny Traveller ...handy tips for a stress-free holiday Make online copies of important paperwork Upload copies of your travel documents, including passports, driving licences, visa, insurance policies and itineraries to an online storage/cloud facility. In the event of loss or theft you need simply to access the information via a computer (in your hotel or at an internet cafe) and print off. Weigh your hold luggage and check hand luggage for restricted items Avoid surcharges by ensuring hold luggage is within airline’s permitted weights. Before leaving Home Leave your house keys, alarm details and contact address abroad with a trusted friend or relative. Check all electrical appliances are switched off and unplugged. Lock all windows and doors. In winter, turn the water off at the mains to prevent the pipes from freezing. Grand Tour of Italy Cultured cities and classic coastlines with Belmond wing to its fabulous climate, enviable the Villa’s gastronomy, fantastic wines, beautiful facade is O scenery, magnificent architecture and rich attributed to heritage, Italy has long been a favoured haunt for Michelangelo. British travellers even stretching back several centuries Step inside and when the privileged few embarked on expansive you experience the “Grand” tours lasting many months. ethereal beauty and solitude of a Renaissance These days the luxury grand tourer is more likely to be monastery that is as much a part of somewhat “time” poor, so would want to squeeze a lot Italy's culture as the country’s greatest into a small period of time. For those in search of the cathedrals and galleries. superlative Italian experience there can be no doubt that a week or two spent in the company of Belmond Italy’s coastlines are a natural spectacle and no tour of staying at their impressive collection of iconic hotels Italy would be complete without time spent exploring across the Italian mainland and Sicily offers a worthy the beautiful bays and hillside villages of Liguria and 21st century reworking of the classic Grand Tour. the Cinque Terre. Set overlooking the picture-perfect harbour of Portofino, with its luxury yachts bobbing at The cities of Venice and Florence are the two Renaissance anchor, Belmond Hotel Splendido and Belmond jewels of Italy. The buzz of the waterways and the Splendido Mare are two of Italy’s most glamorous spectacle of the classic architecture is a glorious, theatrical retreats and the ideal stopover between Venice and experience that touches all the senses. And if Venice is a Florence. Or perhaps the lure of the South beckons. theatre, Belmond Hotel Cipriani is the Royal Box. Four Admire the beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the minutes by private launch from San Marco, on the tip of shimmering Mediterranean far below from an infinity Giudecca Island, this landmark hotel commands pool that seems to touch the clouds at unrivalled views of the lagoon and Doge’s Palace. Belmond Hotel Caruso, a former 11th century palace above Ravello. Florence delivers an equally rich, cultural experience of world-famous galleries and Renaissance architectural End your grand tour in Taormina in masterpieces like the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. It Sicily, where, in the shadow of mighty is also the gateway to the gastronomically rich hills of Mount Etna, you might choose to split Tuscany. Belmond Villa San Michele is nestled on a your time between a stay at Belmond hilltop amid lush trees and terraced gardens, enjoying Grand Hotel Timeo on the high slopes of Taormina unparalleled vistas of Florence, stretched out before it in Town itself before relocating to edge of the azure waters all its classic splendour. Dating from the 15th century, below at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea. 4 Belmond Hotel Splendido Belmond Hotel Cipriani Sunset Cruise & Bacari Tour Romantic Dinner The bacari are lively hubs in Celebrate your romance in an which generations of Venetians unforgettable way. Hop gather to exchange news and aboard the hotel’s private laughs while they enjoy boat and head to beautiful specialist wines. San Fruttuoso Bay, only accessible by boat or footpath. Discover the best and most unusual of these wine bars A secluded table for two awaits aboard a vintage wooden boat. on the beach, where you will enjoy local specialities beneath the starry skies. Belmond Villa San Michele Love on a Pillow Tour The 1962 film Love on a Pillow, starring Brigitte Bardot, was filmed in and around Belmond Villa San Michele. Relive scenes from the movie with a unique tour of its filming locations. Set out in a Fiat 600 to visit Villa Gamberaia’s stunning gardens and take in the breathtaking views from San Miniato al Monte. Belmond Hotel Caruso Helicopter Tour There are few more dramatic and luxurious ways to see the stunning Amalfi Coast than from the privacy of your own private helicopter. The pilot will soar over the cliffs that sheer down into sparkling turquoise seas.