Publication.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
QUALITY TRAVEL Welcome... Sidlow Farmhouse Ironsbottom, Sidlow RH2 8PP working around the sights starting in San Francisco and ending up at one with nature in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Of course, no issue would be complete without some reference to tropical climes and we hope this issue will not disappoint those looking for an escape to the sun as we head both west to the Caribbean and east to The Welcome to the latest issue of our regular travel magazine Maldives. We also travel down to South Africa for an where we hope to stimulate your travel taste buds with a excellent combination of Safari and Winelands varied selection of worldwide holiday ideas and gastronomy in the company of Sir Richard Branson. destinations to treat yourself, partner, family or a group of friends to a well-earned break. Finally, in keeping with our regular look at the world of luxury cruising, we embark on a tour of luxury hotel barge It is always refreshing to be able to feature new places and cruising, as featured in Rick Stein’s “French Odyssey” BBC it is with great pleasure that we showcase the newly TV series. We also review the forthcoming introduction in opened Regent Porto Montenegro. Similarly, D-Hotel 2015 of the new Suite Class on Celebrity Cruises. Maris is a relative newcomer, but following many reviews from happy guests this summer, it is sure to be one of the Whether you are looking for a “trip of a lifetime”, a beach hot shots for 2015. The location on the Datca Peninsula is getaway, a luxury city break or just news on some of the simply stunning. world’s finest hotels and resorts we are sure this issue will inspire you, so sit back, have a read, then give us a call to In this issue we conclude our two-part spotlight on the discuss your travel plans “Golden State” of California looking at the Northern circuit Tel: 01737 226522 Fax: 01737 222535 www.qualitytraveluk.com Contents “A world of difference for the discerning traveller” 4121416 3 Travel News 12 Winelands & Waterholes 4 On the Waterfront 14 No Shoes & No News 6 Luxury Hotel Barge Cruising 16 Golden Prospects - Northern California 8 Turkish Delight 20 Bajan Flavours at Cobblers Cove Published by Travelspeak Limited - 020 8944 6050 www.travelspeak.co.uk Travelspeak Published by 10 Suite Dreams 22 Blackwell’s Jamaica Travel News Celebrating 25 glorious years at All aboard The Ritz-Carlton, Abama train Hostellerie Crillon Le Brave Perched on a hilltop in the middle of a picturesque valley in A new 40-seater train offers guests transport around the the Vaucluse region of Provence, near Mont Ventoux, lies resort’s grounds enabling swift access from the main hotel the charming medieval hamlet of Crillon le Brave, one of lobby to its secluded beach via a scheduled itinerary of stops. France’s hidden jewels. Running daily, the train operates round trips between 09.15 hrs and 20.00 hrs while outside of the schedule, the resort's 25 years ago, two enterprising Canadians, began a fascinating team will be on hand to meet and drop off guests via one of project, when they renovated a third of the village into a 32- the resort’s fleet of four-seater eco-buggies. bedroom 5 star boutique hotel spread across seven medieval houses, accessed via bridges, hidden courtyards cobbled The Ritz-Carlton, Abama in Tenerife is the perfect year -round alleys and a terraced Italian garden. Further enhancements location for a luxury family holiday, or couples getaway, followed with the arrival in 2006 by Robin Hutson, the offering a selection of one and two bedrooms suites and founder of Hotel du Vin. Today, Hostellerie Crillon Le Brave is newly furbished deluxe rooms in the Citadel all with a private a gourmet haven and a proud member of Relais & Chateaux. balcony or terrace and, more often than not, a perfect sea www.crillonlebrave.com view out towards La Gomera. Hotel style breaks at The Lodge, Verbier With arguably the best ski runs in the world, Sir Richard Branson's luxury chalet is a dream winter wonderland escape. Experience the ultimate catered chalet and its legendary all-inclusive services. For most of the winter ski season The Lodge at Verbier can only be booked in its entirety, but selected weeks have been selected for 2014/2015 to open the chalet to individual room bookings. For instance, early birds can book 3,4 and 7-night stays between 10th December and 21st December 2014. Rates on request. The Canny Traveller ...why carry cash abroad - use a currency card! There is no doubt that some cash in your wallet is a useful back-up, but carrying large quantities of foreign currency is just asking for trouble. However, using your UK bank or credit cards abroad, whilst convenient, will only end up in poor exchange rates and excessive charges. A good solution is to load sufficient funds onto a pre-paid currency card with the added advantages of very competitive exchange rates when transferring funds and no usage fees for purchases. For instance, Fair FX, one of the UK market leaders, provides US Dollar & Euro pre-paid cards with the facility to load money from Sterling accounts at exchange rates that beat the high street banks, the Post Office and bureaus like Travelex by very significant margins. www.fairfx.com On the Waterfront Stylish hospitality at the Regent Porto Montenegro et against the backdrop of one of the world's that combine the traditional tastes of the Adriatic most famous super-yacht marinas, the newly regions with the occasional hint of Asian cuisine. For S opened Regent Porto Montenegro has those with a sweeter tooth, The Gourmet Corner is at become the latest addition to the Regent Hotels & hand with its selection of classic sweet and savoury Resorts collection. Situated on the shoreline of the treats, including chocolate truffles, pastries and pizza Adriatic and overlooking Boka Bay (Bay of Kotor), the fresh from the oven. hotel offers each of its guests a unique experience of luxury and beauty in one of Montenegro's most The Regent Porto Montenegro is also the ideal location captivating harbours. for an evening drink or afternoon tea. The Library Bar in particular features an open fireplace for guests to enjoy The traditional exterior of the five storey building in winter months in addition to a west-facing terrace, borrows from classic Mediterranean architecture, with the perfect location to view the spectacular sunsets its terracotta roof, as well as from the styles found in the over the marina. For guests seeking a more private quintessential Italian palazzi that have lined the coast venue, the Italian Garden is the perfect getaway. since the start of the Venetian rule in the 15th century. Situated on a private island, the open-air setting The sumptuous interior takes inspiration from both provides wonderful views of the bay whilst dining or Renaissance Venice and also the nautical setting to having drinks. create the elegant surroundings. Most of the 51 rooms and 35 suites are accompanied by a spacious balcony The amenities of the hotel include a 20-metre that allows the guests to enjoy the vistas of either Boka outdoor infinity pool, 15-metre indoor swimming Bay or the famous mountains of Montenegro. pool, a fitness centre, and, of course, a Regent Spa which features a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, The hotel also offers a varied selection of different hammam and fresh juice bar. dining and drinking options to suit all types of guest. The Dining Room is at the heart of this, with its The Regent Porto Montenegro is located in the town graceful décor, French windows and plush velvet of Tivat and can be reached through the local seating. The menu uses seasonal and local international airport or those found in Podgorica or Mediterranean produce to create a series of dishes just over the border in Dubrovnik, Croatia. 4 Montenegro, Wild Beauty Montenegro is a small country with a big punch. Since gaining independence from neighbouring Serbia in 2006, this tiny Balkan Republic has made great strides to establish itself as a year- round, quality tourist destination offering a stunning landscape of soaring mountains, Europe’s most southerly fjord and an idyllic 293 km stretch of long beaches and craggy coves bordering the warm, blue waters of the Adriatic. It is no wonder that Montenegro has witnessed a flood of investment and a rush to buy property. Along the meandering shoreline of Boka Bay there are several historic lakeside towns with beautifully preserved medieval stone buildings that reflect the rich architecture of the Renaissance republic of Venice, who governed the coastal regions until 1797. Today, the most popular towns of Budva and Kotor have a contemporary-chic atmosphere, with a burgeoning supply of good restaurants and lively bars. Travel into the hinterland of Montenegro and the drama of nature intensifies. There are 5 national parks, culminating in the striking alpine spaces of the spectacular Durmitor National Park where you can hike though unspoilt pastureland, ski past 2000-metre-plus peaks, or raft through the colossal Tara Canyon. 5 Luxury Hotel Barge Cruising A truly unique experience with European Waterways hat is hotel barging? Despite the growing troglodyte cave dwellings, a private chateau or to see popularity of cruising, particularly on river an olive oil press at work and sample its produce. W boats, this is still a little known niche concept within the vast cruise industry. Maybe the term Surprisingly for such a largely unknown travel concept, the “barging” deters interest, conjuring up images of leading hotel barging company, European Waterways, has narrowboats or coal lighters.