Caravan hire is being offered by dozens of rental companies across the United Kingdom. These companies are offering relatively new caravans ready at your disposal. However, they also come at a cost. Compared to hiring from other consumers, the prices are relatively high. This is the reason that camptoo.uk.co came into existence. This platform aims to bring consumers together to enable caravan hire.
Ready, set and go on your next holiday
The process of camptoo.uk.co is an easy one. Firstly, you decided where you want to go and how you want to plan your holiday. For example, do you want to start your hire near your own location or when you arrive? The advantage of caravan hire on your destination is fuel cost. With less weight, you will consume less fuel. On the other hand, using the caravan on your way enables you to stay the night somewhere or cook wherever you want. Thus, increasing the flexibility of your travels.
Why use a platform?
When renting from other consumers there usually is skepticism and a lack of trust. This is where camptoo.uk.co comes in and focus on mitigating these elements. By validating personal information and functioning as an escrow, transactions are completed after returning the caravan. In case of damage, the platform helps to solve the situation and insurance claims are handled accordingly. This allows the renters to have a hassle free source of income.
A few clicks away from your next holiday
Traveling by caravan hire also helps you to travel on your own at your own pace. Instead of staying at crowded hotels and being limited to the breakfast times, you have your own kitchen and equipment at your disposal. This provides you with all the flexibility you can wish for. Going to that local bakery or get some quick groceries from the breakfast? The choices are limitless!
When you use camptoo.co.uk you can select the caravan according to your own style. Do you want to hire an authentic older model or are you looking for a luxurious version? The platform allows you to set your own requirements and filter to what matters most. You can have contact with the renter in case of any questions about the caravan.
The UK is the perfect spot for the caravan
Not only do a lot of people in the United Kingdom have a caravan and rent it out, also the number of campings and places to stay are countless. Staying in a national park or within the heart of London, all is possible. Not only are there many locations, the opportunities in terms of pricing can also be tweaked to your own needs. Want to go low budget? This is easily possible when picking the right campings.
As the reality of social distancing truly takes hold, our thoughts inevitably turn to wanderlust and to times where we could choose splendid isolation over self-isolation.Jail Hill Inn is an absolute must for a rejuvenating trip with inspirational surroundings, and one of our top picks of where we’d most like to self-isolate in the USA.
The quaint and cosy Jail Hill Inn is an old county jail transformed into an inn in the gorgeous Illinois town of Galena – located just three hours’ drive from Chicago. This multi-award-winning inn was voted the number one bed and breakfast in the United States in 2019 by Tripadvisor and second-best in the world. Delve into your favourite book or learn about the fascinating civil war history in the small-town whilst cosied up by the grand fireplace. Or, if you prefer, indulge in a luxury in-suite massage.
The inn is tucked away from the Main Street to ensure ultimate relaxation for your stay, yet just near enough to walk there and enjoy Galena’s rich history and all-American historic charm. The four-story brick building is 135 years old and served as the county jail for nearly 100 years before innkeeper Matthew Carol lovingly transformed it into the premier bed and breakfast inn it is today.
Be sure to take in the impressive views across Galena before you head out to explore what it has to offer. Step into a bygone era along the banks of the Mississippi River. In this Midwestern town, trolley cars cruise down the six-block Main Street, along which 19th-century buildings house small galleries, antique stores and independent shops. Walk off lunch from local hotspot Fried Green Tomatoes along the Galena River Trail before moseying around historical sites such as the home of Civil War hero and former US President Ulysses S. Grant.
If you work up a thirst exploring these pretty streets and perusing local craft stores, Galena is also home to Blaum Bros Distilling Co. Formed by two brothers with a passion for high-quality spirits, this distillery has grown ever popular for its spirit tours. They source grains from local farmers to make small batches of rye, whiskey and vodka. Make sure to take one home with you, their branding is very pretty, and it makes for an excellent gift.
For many dogs and dog-owners, lockdown has brought on a new level of bonding. Countless pups all over the world have been going on 25 walks a day, derailing zoom meetings, and getting about 300% more belly rubs than usual.
While you may be enjoying all the quality time with man’s best friend, it’s equally important to dream of better days ahead. This is why we’ve rounded up some of the cosiest dog-friendly hideaways in the UK, so you and your four-legged friend can dream of #TeamCocopup approved places to roam free.
Ellenborough Park in The Cotswolds
Ellenborough Park is a stunning countryside retreat with 13 dog-friendly rooms and is one of the Cotswolds’ finest hotels. The hotel sits on a stunning 90 acres of beautiful British countryside, including the famous Cotswolds Way, which are perfect for long walks filled with wildflowers, hill forts, and stunning beech woodlands.
If you’re looking to add a bit more culture to your retreat, the hotel is located within close distance to Cheltenham and Bath, where there are plenty of dog-friendly local museums for your pups to explore too.
A stay at Ellenborough Park begin from £189 a night on a bed and breakfast basis. Dog-owners will be required to pay a £25 housekeeping charge. www.ellenboroughpark.com.
The Roseate Villa Bath
The Roseate Villa in Bath offers 21 unique and beautiful rooms and is located just a few minutes stroll away from Bath’s historical Abbey and Pulteney Bridge. This stylish boutique hotel also has its own doggy mascot, a border terrier called Muttley, who has plenty of recommendations for dog-friendly activities nearby.
Some of Muttley’s top tips include Henrietta park, or the Lennet and Avon cancel. To add to the hotel’s pet-friendly credentials, it also offers ‘woof’ boxes filled with treats from Lily’s Kitchen and a tennis ball to play with in Henrietta Park.
A stay at The Roseate Villa Bath begin from £169 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. www.roseatehotel.com.
Glenapp Castle, Scotland
Glenapp Castle is a handsome 17-bedroom castle hotel located in the Ayrshire Coast of Scotland. It also has 36 acres of majestic Scottish countryside, perfect for long walkies with your pooch. This luxury estate has two dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor with easy access to the gardens outside. Dogs can take a swim in the glen, participate in star-gazing activities, and go on plenty of hiking trails too.
Stays in one of Glenapp Castle’s Garden View Suites begins from £415. www.glenappcastle.com.
There are few regions in the world that can boast the astonishing cultural, culinary, natural, musical, and urban diversity of West Africa. While the travel hotspots of South Africa tend to get the most attention, West Africa is rising fast on travellers’ radars. The region represents the cornucopia of unforgettable experiences that Africa has to offer. From tropical rainforests, otherworldly deserts, volcanic outcrops, and sprawling, vibrant megacities, a West African itinerary leaves you truly spoiled for choice.
While this vast region is too rich to cover in this one piece, we thought it would be useful to provide those who are new to West Africa with a beginner’s itinerary that allows you to absorb the essence of the region. If you’re sitting at home and looking to plan your dream itinerary for when it’s time to travel again, here is why you should be making West Africa your next destination.
1. Start With a Sensory Overload in Nigeria
Where better place to start your West African odyssey than Nigeria, the continent’s fastest-growing country and premier cultural powerhouse. Begin your trip in the country’s sprawling, riotous commercial capital, Lagos, home to 21 million people and counting. While your first experience of the city may be challenging, your perseverance will be richly rewarded.
This city is one of the most liberal and energetic on the continent, which is reflected in the booming nightlife. As well as the classical streetside bar experience that can be had in every corner of the city, Lagos is one of the few places in Africa with a thriving casino scene, and a game at the roulette table is always a memorable experience.
Interestingly, Nigeria is one of the only places in Africa which also has also fully legalised online casino gaming, meaning that visitors can take advantage of the best online casinos on the continent. Once you’ve been thoroughly partied out by Lagos, make sure to book a couple of days in the serene colonial port town of Calabar for some R&R.
2. Nature and Tradition Meet in Cameroon
After the dizzying sensory overload of Nigeria, head to its southern neighbour, Cameroon, for a more relaxing change of pace. Here you will find rich tradition and jaw-dropping nature in equal abundance. Get the lowdown by starting your journey in Douala, the largest city, and home to some of the most noteworthy museums and historical institutions in the region.
The Musee de Douala, Douala Maritime Museum, and Doual’art can easily fill a whole afternoon, which you won’t regret. Once you’re sufficiently clued up on Cameroonian history, take a bus to volcanic Mt Cameroon, the tallest mountain in Western and Central Africa and home to a huge number of indigenous plant and animal species. When you’re not exploring the mountain and its surroundings, rejuvenate at the nearby Hotel Seme Beach Resort and Spa.
3. Eco-Friendly Beach-Hopping in São Tomé & Príncipe
After trekking through Cameroon, it’s time to hop aboard a tiny plane and jet off to the small island nation of São Tomé & Príncipe. Many travel writers have described this compact country as one of the closest incarnations of paradise on Earth they have seen, and it’s not hard to see why.
São Tomé & Príncipe has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading eco-tourism hotspots in recent years, offering unbeatable and sustainable experiences such as swimming with turtles on Praia Banana or mingling with crested mona monkeys at the breathtaking Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé.
All in all, São Tomé & Príncipe feels like a break from the rest of the world, a place that contains sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that few others have ever had the privilege of experiencing.
This itinerary is ideal for anyone wishing to get to grips with this beautiful corner of the world. If you have any tips for West Africa travel, let us know in the comments!
Marrakech is an aesthetic dream but there is so much more to this magical city than meets the eye. Like with any passionate love affair, our first encounter with the red city undoubtedly impactful.
We spent an enriching few days exploring every corner of the city, from the mosaic walls of the Bahia Palace to the labyrinthine alleys of the souks; and then ventured out to explore the lesser-known landscapes of the Atlas Mountains to see a side of Morocco unknown to most travellers.
We stayed in two stunning hotels, Le Farnatchi and La Sultana Marrakech– each one offering a new kind of safe haven away from organised chaos of the city. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies gives you your daily dose of wanderlust with a visual diary of her luxurious #CocoCouples trips to Marrakech, because hey, we all need a little escapism these days.
I spent 72 hours exploring the lesser-known towns of Emilia Romagna and found heaps of history, buckets of Italian charm and so much good food!
In the North of Italy, sitting just above Tuscany, is Emilia Romagna – one of the most fruitful areas of the country. It is responsible for world-famous supercars such as Lamborghini and Maserati, opera singers like Pavarotti and more IGP and DOP products (foods that have to created in a specific geographical region adhering to local traditions) than any other region worldwide making it famous for tasty Italian food.
The region consists of some big cities, such as Bologna and Parma, but it’s also home to some hidden gems that make great destinations for an off-the-beaten-track road trip. The close proximity to Tuscany (around a 2 hour 30 minute drive to Pisa or Florence) means you could tag on some of the more obvious choices to your itinerary too! I’d suggest flying into Bologna to visit the towns mentioned in this guide, which could be visited in one day each, meaning they’re a great trio for a long weekend break!
A one-hour drive from Bologna Airport As the historical hub of Emilia Romagna, Ravenna is famous for its Byzantine mosaics. The town is dotted with ancient buildings housing expansive, but amazingly intricate, works of mosaic depicting Christian imagery. One of my personal favourites was the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which from the outside looks unassuming, but inside you’ll find a breathtakingly detailed depiction of the night sky. Next door is the Basilica of San Vitale, an octagonal church with more impressive artistry inside. These two buildings are UNESCO monuments along with another six sites in Ravenna (a combination ticket to all eight sites can be purchased for €9.50
After marvelling at the years-old mosaics you can visit MAR, Ravenna’s Museo d’Arte, where you’ll find a large collection of contemporary mosaics. Professor Giuseppe Bovini, lecturer in Christian Archaeology at the University of Bologna, commissioned a number of artists to sketch a design and then recreate it in the art of miniature tiles. The result is an exhibition containing a combination of pictorial work and mosaics portraying everything from religious images to mystical unicorns to Italian food.
One of my absolute favourite things to do in Italy is to visit the town’s square; they’re something the Italians do so well and they always feel like the heart of the community. And this is no different in Ravenna! Piazza del Popolo is a beautiful square with typical Italian buildings and atmosphere. The Piazza buzzes with life and is the perfect place to pause and spend a slow morning drinking coffee and watching locals go about their daily business. Restaurants and cafes line the edges of the square so there’s plenty of choice.
As well as offering so much rich history Ravenna caters for those interested in the new and up-and-coming. The Docks on the Northern side of town are a bubbling area of development. The Darsena Popup and is a building, created from bright shipping containers, housing local eateries. The food-market style of this place feels on-trend but still Italian, with traditional dishes on offer. Try the strawberry and Parmesan starter – an unexpected pairing that works so well.
Cervia
A 30-minute drive from Ravenna Cervia is a small coastal town on the Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna. Here I focused on embracing the local style of life by spending some time on the beach, admiring nature, eating and making the most of the Italian tradition of aperetivo.
Cervia’s compact size makes it the ideal location to hire bikes and take in the town on two wheels. You can cycle past Canale di Cervia, the man made water way, visiting points of interest such as Piazza Garibaldi – the town square complete with cathedral and fountain – or simply appreciating the maze of pretty streets. To make the most of your bikes ride into Parco Natural to explore a beautiful park, which is home to lots of wildlife such as birds, cows and deer. The park is expansive and you could easily spend a few hours exploring either on foot or by bike. It’s also a great picnic spot! For even more adventure then cycle beneath a canopy of native pine trees in the forest of La Pineta.
As evening approaches Italians engage in the social ritual of aperitivo, which quickly became my favourite few hours of the day during my road trip! From around 6pm locals and tourists alike gather at bars to sip alcoholic beverages and sample salty snacks, all in the name of whetting the appetite for dinner. Drinking a Spritz while looking over the canal and out at the boats parked in the habour; I found Cervia a particularly special place to experience aperitivo. The view was lovely, but the atmosphere was even better. Young, trendy Italians flocked to the bars (presumably preparing for an evening in the neighbouring district of Milano Marittima known for its luxury shopping and busy nightlife) and there was just a general buzz along the canalside.
The beach, known as II Mare, is a long stretch of sand split into many bagni – different sections of beach that contain bars, restaurants, spas and small holiday resorts. I had the most delicious evening meal at Saretina 152, sitting outside with my feet in the sand and the waves gently crashing in the distance was a fantastic experience. The food was incredibly good with generous portions made from fresh ingredients.
Cervia is nicknamed the City of White Gold due to its ancient production of salt. This salt has a unique sweet taste due to the absence of bitter components that are eliminated in the natural drying process. In 1959 salt production turned industrial, leaving just one of the 144 original saltpans in operation. Every summer you can visit the original Camillone Saltpan to see the traditional method of salt production in action or simply visit the Salt Museum all year round to learn more and sample the famous seasoning.
Comacchio
A 40-minute drive from Ravenna or an hour drive from Cervia Having never heard of Comacchio I had no expectations upon arriving, but I was more then pleasantly surprised. It’s known as Little Venice and it’s easy to see why with its labyrinth of canals and bridges. It’s so easy to walk around, watching cute families of ducks float around the canals, and kill a few hours. The beautiful architecture and attractive symmetry of the bridges and steps is a great view to enjoy from one of the waterside restaurant and makes for some cool photo opportunities too.
Comacchio is famous for marinated eel and La Manifattura Dei Marinati is the old pickling factory keeping tradition alive in the town; in fact it’s still in use between October to December roasting eels to prepare them for pickling. As well as seeing the pickling production in autumn you can learn about the process all year round, taste the eels and buy the pickled products at La Manifattura Dei Marinati. You’ll also find Comacchio’s pickled eels in yellow vintage-style tins for sale in almost every shop in town.
How to take a break and unwind if the relentless nature of an Asian road trip is getting you down.
Road trips are great fun and are a fantastic way to tick off sights and destinations, but it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced nature of road tripping or backpacking and forget to take a break. We believe it’s great to take time to recharge your batteries, even in the most hectic schedule, as a well-rested traveller has more headspace for appreciating where they are and the experiences they’re having.
#TeamCoco’s Beth visited OZO Phuket in Kata Beach, Phuket to find out how to get some rest and tick off the sights:
Get some R&R
Opened in June 2019 OZO Phuket aims to dispel a thought process that most travellers can relate to when looking for accommodation: ‘we’ll be out all day and just be sleeping there so it doesn’t matter if it’s not great’. Well, OZO Phuket disagree shining importance on getting great sleep in a comfortable environment and making guests look forward to returning to the hotel after a day of sightseeing.
My first impression, from the moment I stepped out of the taxi and into the open-plan lobby, was fantastic. I was greeted immediately by a team of welcoming and friendly staff who expertly unloaded my luggage and walked me to reception protecting me from the rain with umbrellas. In fact the service provided was incredible at every stage, from the easy check-in and concierge service to the restaurant and poolside staff to the impeccable standard of housekeeping and turndown service.
Check-in was seamless and completely paperless (just one of the many ways OZO Phuket is striving towards sustainability) and I was directed to my room. The hotel itself is bright and cheery – even among the gloomy skies of Thailand’s rainy season – and the bright blue parasols, striped beach towels and colourful cocktails are enough to entice anyone to chill out poolside.
The rooms are simple, but well-designed, providing all the necessary amenities without clutter. Little features like USB charging points and reading lights next to both sides of the bed are the details that make a hotel room easier to settle in to – nobody likes having to leave their device charging on the other side of the room.
OZO’s philosophy surrounds providing the best sleep experience so, of course, the piece de resistance of every room is the bed. The state of the art, high-quality DreamMaster king size beds are so comfortable and have two sets of comfy pillows of differing firmness meaning you can pick and choose depending on your preferences. Each bed is angled towards the window so early risers can make the most of the natural light, but the blackout blinds cater for those who, like myself, prefer darkness. As someone who suffers from insomnia I was dubious when hearing promises of “the best sleep you’ve ever had” but I can confirm I slept like a baby – but that could have been the jet lag.
The onsite restaurant EAT is open from breakfast until 8pm, providing hearty and authentic Asian food. The breakfast spread was delicious and offered all the usual favourites and some Thai specialities. EAT then offers an a la carte menu that remains the same for lunch and dinner and is a well-balanced mix of Western home comforts and tasty Thai dishes with many flexible choices for vegetarians. I tried the Green Thai Curry and it was undoubtedly the best green curry I’ve ever tasted. The sauce was so full of flavour and perfectly spiced that I ended up ordering it another three times– I really couldn’t get enough!
Get out & about
Just a short stroll away, taking a detour behind the hotel pool and through a private-use gate, is the sandy shores of Kata Beach. The beach has a few sunloungers available to hire, plenty of space to lay down a towel and is also known for great surfing opportunities – you can rent boards and hire tutors on the beachside. Bars and street vendors line the beach selling fruits, smoothies and snacks.
If you’re looking for the best views of the island then the aptly named Karon View Point isthe place to go. It’s just a 10-minute drive uphill from Kata Beach and offers uninterrupted views of the three west coast beaches of Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon (the locals call it Khao Saam Haad which translates to Three Beaches Hill).
About a 30-minute drive away Phuket Old Town is a lively little place known for its charming, brightly coloured buildings. The main attraction is Walking Street Market. Hosted every Sunday between 4pm and 10pm the market takes over Walking Street with authentic food stalls, artists selling their creations, clothing, accessories and live music. The Market offers a wide variety of authentic Thai street food, from Mee Hokkien (noodles with seafood, pork, greens and a broth) to Apong (a traditional crispy flatbread sweetened with sugar).
One of the most highly recommended landmarks of Phuket is the Big Buddha. This 45 metre tall statue is still under construction and you can buy marble tiles to contribute to the completion of the project. As well as being a tourist attraction, it’s also an active temple so make sure you dress suitably. I recommend going around 10am when it’s quieter and cooler.
OZO Phuket is the perfect base for a chilled mini break among a busy Asian road trip or for a stand-alone holiday that combines exploration and relaxation. It’s in a prime location, situated in the heart of Kata Beach on the West Coast of Phuket, with the beach on the doorstep and many of the island’s top attractions just a short drive away. This close proximity means you can explore on a leisurely timetable and save a few hours for relaxing by the pool every day. Find out more here.
GET TO GRIPS WITH THE LOCAL LINGO FOR A HOLIDAY TO PUERTO RICO
This year sees the 500th year anniversary of Old San Juan, the island’s capital. World Heritage listed Old San Juan as one of the oldest cities in the USA and encapsulates the rich cultural identity of Puerto Rico, interweaving Taino, African and Spanish traditions. This distinctive mix makes San Juan a vibrant city, passionate about music and dance and sensational food.
The city’s must-visit neighbourhoods include the charming Old Town with its pastel-coloured colonial Spanish buildings and blue cobblestone streets, cosmopolitan Condado which is home to fashionable boutiques and high-end restaurants; and cool Santurce, a hipster hangout with its speakeasy cocktail bars and street food markets. Puerto Rico is on everyone’s must visit list. To truly feel like a local and to make the most of your future trip, work on mastering the lingo from the comfort of your own home. Spanish is the most common language spoken on the beautiful island and Duolingo is a great way for beginners to learn from scratch or for intermediates to brush up on their skills. Not only is Duolingo useful when learning a new language, it’s fun and addictive. It takes a game-like approach to learning and offers apps for iOS, Windows Phone, and Android. What’s even better is that Duolingo is completely free for users. Alternatively, if you prefer a more dedicated approach in terms of learning a new language, consider taking private Spanish lessons with Preply.
MASTER THE FRENCH LANGUAGE FOR A WINTER TRIP TO QUÉBEC, CANADA
We can think of nothing better than self-isolating in a cosy, snowy cabin right about now. Hibernation is the order of the day. With so much time on our hands, it’s time start dreaming up a winter escape later in the year to beautiful Québec. With just a seven hour flight time from the UK, an Atlantic crossing has never been closer. From poutine in Montréal, wine and cider tasting in Québec’s southern regions, winter carnivals and snug cottages in snowy landscapes, there is so much to start planning. To get ahead of the game, the BBC are offering online courses to study French, the official language of the Canadian province. Voila!
2020 marks the 250 anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth – and today, Vienna still sets the tone as the European capital of classical music. Although travel is halted at the moment, we can still sit back, wine in hand and listen to all the amazing music created by the world-famous composer on Spotify. The tunes are also the perfect background music for a calming work space, alongside a strong coffee.
Vienna is not a city in a hurry and will be waiting with open arms, just a short plane journey away for culture vultures. The city is the perfect spot to read books, go to the opera, eat endless plates of sacher torte and linger over a hot chocolate. A whole culture has evolved around the coffee houses to encourage a more relaxed way of life. For the price of a cup of coffee visitors can buy entrance to a club where they can spend the day reading newspapers (still hung on wooden rods), people watching, discussing noels or thinking. To get you’re Viennese coffee order perfected or to converse correctly over scrumptious strudel, it’s time to brush up on the German language, the most widely spoken tongue in Austria. Babbel offers an easy and fun way to learn German with some online language learning platforms focusing primarily on just speaking. Here at House of Coco, we are itching to get back to exploring the world. While we wait we are busy planning and prepping for our next adventure.
Arrmchair travel is our new fave thing and we love getting lost in pictures and videos of all the amazing places we’re going to visit in the future. High up on our list is Marietas Islands, their hidden beach is a total dream. Here’s three reasons why it needs to be on you ‘soon to visit’ list…
There is only one way to get to there
The first step is to hop on a charter boat or book a tour out to Marietas Islands National Park, a 45-minute ride from Punta Mita, in the south of Riviera Nayarit. Once there, visitors are asked to jump off the boat and swim close to the entrance. The beach is hidden underground and is only accessible by swimming through a tunnel. Its transparent waters and coral reefs are ideal for diving and snorkelling.
Luxury within reach of only a few
Exclusivity is guaranteed. Access to the “hidden beach” is restricted to 117 people per day and a time slot of 20 minutes, which means visitors will need a prior reservation, especially during the UK winter months (Mexico’s summer).
Visitors won’t be “alone”
Marietas Islands are a wildlife sanctuary, home to many endangered bird species as well as rare coral reefs. The fauna that we can find in this paradise is made up of turtles, barber butterflies, humpback parrots or steel swallows, various species of fish, dolphins and humpback whales. Among these species, the peculiar blue-footed booby stands out, which we can only find in two parts of the planet: Marietas Islands and the Galapagos Islands.
Arguably one of the most idyllic places on earth, luxury hotels and private island resorts have long capitalised on the natural beauty of the Maldives. But with these islands predicted to be underwater within a matter of decades, what sustainability initiatives are luxury resorts adopting to protect this fragile paradise? Having only opened in 2017, Furaveri may be a somewhat lesser-known Maldivian-owned hotel, but is already making waves for its laid-back boutique feel and five-star accommodation and all underpinned by serious eco-credentials. We sent our girl Beth to report.
Landing in Malé International Airport, a short 45-minute seaplane flight is all that separates us from our destination of Furaveri Island. Located in the remote Raa Atoll, like most of the Maldives 300 inhabited islands, Furaveri is too small to land a traditional aircraft so it’s up to Trans-Maldivian airways to get us there.
It’s my first seaplane flight, and despite the turbulence, as we dip in and out of clouds, the scenery below is more than worth the white knuckles. Island atolls and spits of sand flash by in an ocean that fades from deep to electric blue. Even our seaplane pilots seem to echo the barefoot feel of our destination, in their shorts, sunglasses and flip flops.
Set across just 23 hectares, landing at Furaveri we find ourselves in postcard-perfect scenery, white-sand shores ringed by piercing blue. Unlike many resorts, much effort has been made to leave as much of the island as possible un-reclaimed – not only preserving the natural flora and fauna but helping to give the island that Robinson-Crusoe vibe, with lush palm-lined walkways and flowering orchids.
Hidden away in the centre of this wild greenery, you’ll find the chefs vegetable garden, where as much is grown on island as possible – from the firey chillies for traditional Maldivian curries, to the fruits for their passion fruit margaritas. The neighbouring on-site bottling plant represents a huge investment in the sustainable future of the island, with up to 360 tones of water recycled here into drinking water for the guests. The next step, we’re told will be to use smaller glass bottles for guests to take with them on excursions, replacing plastics.
With just 107 private villas set sparingly across its edges, the whole resort has a low-impact feel, yet the island’s eco-credentials don’t mean skimping on luxury. Our beach pool villa is 155 square metres, with huge double-height beamed ceilings and super-chic interiors. Warming notes of wood contrast with crisp white linens and hanging lanterns to create a cool, beach house feel. Sliding doors open to the front to reveal a private 6-metre long pool with a daybed, curtained cabana and sun loungers for two. The surrounding vegetation helps to keep the pool private, but a path leads directly out onto a stretch of blindingly white sand beach backed by sapphire sea. To the rear of the villa – I find one of the prettiest bathrooms I’ve ever seen, with freestanding tub, twinkling Moroccan hanging lights and billowing white curtains. Doors open onto a private, palm-fringed courtyard with alfresco shower.
This is the perfect place to retire to after sunset on the beach, pushing the doors back as dusk draws in, watching the silhouettes of fruit bats across the sky – an ideal choice for Honeymooners or someone looking for something special.
Nosing around my neighbour’s villa, I find the new Dhoni Beach Pool Villas just as romantic as the Beach Pool Villas. The only difference being an L shaped pool and a completely open bathtub in the larger courtyard garden. The Garden villas, located a short walk from the beach are the most cost-effective option here, while the over-water villas further down the beach offer direct lagoon access from a decked verandah. The two-bedroom overwater suite with pool is the top room category, with private lap pool suspended over turquoise waters, outdoor Jacuzzi, double day beds and glass floor to watch for passing marine life.
It’s not just the rooms here that scream romance – the whole island seems to have been designed with honeymooners it in mind. Wicker cocoon chairs hang from palms and swings out in the sea provide just the spot for loved-up couples to linger.
Furaveri may be a low-key island, but one thing they don’t do by halves is the food. Mexican may be as far from the Maldives as you could imagine – but their overwater Mexican restaurant Amigos somehow manages to feel like Tulum. At Asian fusion restaurant Raiyvilla, a specialist Teppanyaki chef cooks in front of you in a theatre of knife tricks and flames – a special dinner that could rival that of top London Teppanyaki restaurants. Four different meal plans offer the opportunity to tailor your dining experience – but everyday dining is at the Jaafaeiy restaurant – a hearty buffet selection of local classics as well as themed nights to avoid any boredom.
As you’d expect of such a honeymoon hot-spot, the resort vibe is relaxed – but it doesn’t stop the after-dinner entertainment, where – fuelled by a few cocktails you can try your hand at some island karaoke (although I am sure a few guests that week had really rather we hadn’t!)
Of all the accolades that this resort can lay claim to, few can match the marine life. Located in the Raa Atoll near the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Hanifaru Bay, this is a haven for snorkelers and divers, with two house reefs encircling the island. Here, led by Furaveri’s PADI team, you can dive or snorkel with turtles, sharks, barracuda and a multitude of multicoloured reef life at one of 30 nearby dive sites. Heading out on a boat trip one day, we snorkel with two manta rays, dancing around us in the deep, and swim with a pod of wild dolphins – an experience that has even the seasoned divers among us grinning from ear to ear.
A Maldivian owned resort, Furavei champions the employment of local people. One afternoon we have the opportunity to visit the neighbouring local island R Fainu, having tea with one of the hotel employees and an amazing spread of home-cooked Maldivian food by his lovely wife, an experience most might miss but an interesting insight into a different side of these islands.
The dive team at Furaveri in particular, have an acute familiarity, as well as an awareness of the challenges facing their island paradise. Keen to safeguard the ocean for future generations to enjoy, they run programs for guests with daily presentations by an in-house marine biologist and offer daily guided snorkelling trips for anyone who would like to join their effort to protect the environment. The team also offer a full range of PADI programs from complete beginners to more experienced divers.
Actively involved in projects like the AWARE week, Furaveri’s dive professionals lead and take part in activities and courses focused on tackling ocean pollution, raising awareness about plastic pollution, and empowering local communities to take positive actions for a return to a clean and healthy ocean. As well as equipping resort staff and guests divers, with the skills needed to conduct Dive Against Debris surveys, the last AWARE Week at Furaveri saw a local island clean up and Project AWARE presentations – all in an effort to be a voice for the ocean and act for change.
Furaveri may be less well known than other international five-star resort brands, but with an eco-conscious outlook and barefoot luxe feel, this under-the-radar gem not only celebrates these islands for their pared-back natural beauty but are doing their part to conserve it.
