For some people, the idea of a dream holiday is to return to the same destination each and every year. For example, some people from the UK often return to nearby European countries regularly, such as France.
There’s nothing wrong with the above but for others, it’s all about doing the opposite. It might not be as convenient but it can be very rewarding.
This is going to be the focus of today’s article. While there’s an undoubted sense of adventure when you do venture off the beaten track and travel to a new destination, you are jumping into the unknown. Today’s guide will tell you some crucial tips that can help you settle into your holiday as quickly as possible.
Ignore Trip Advisor recommendations
One of the biggest faux pas’ we see by people visiting a new destination is just relying on their smart phone and specifically, Trip Advisor.
Now, let’s put it out there that Trip Advisor can work wonders in some regards, but for the purposes of exploring somewhere new we would thoroughly recommend that you do everything yourself. If you don’t, you’ll soon find that you are simply following some Google Maps directions to the Trip Advisor suggestion of your choice – and you are effectively living other peoples’ holidays.
Now, if you are arriving late at night to your destination, there might be some merit in the above approach. For those of you looking to really explore a new area, we’d suggest that you do it all yourself though.
…But do have some sort of plan up your sleeve
Following on from the above, there is something of a caveat. While holidays should never follow strict plans (after all, you are there to relax), having a rough idea of what to do can sometimes be refreshing.
This is particularly important if you are heading to a destination where there are lot of paid-for attractions. If these attractions get busy, there’s a chance that they might become sold out if you leave it too late before booking. As such, at least have some basic plans up your sleeve before you head out there but again, nothing too stringent.
Get your paperwork in order before you travel
This next point might be a generalization but if you are heading to a new country, it is important to have travel insurance lined up for the worst case scenario. If, for example, you are looking to visit the USA for the first time, be sure to check out Staysure to ensure are correctly covered before heading off. The American healthcare system is expensive at the best of times, so American travel insurance even more important in this case.
Do also make sure you organize these a long-time before you travel and while you’re at it, check all Visa requirements and any vaccinations you might be obliged to have before entering the country in question.
Rely on your feet and public transport
As you’ve probably already realized, the overall tip for visiting a new destination is to just explore it. One of the easiest ways to do that is to walk to destinations (and get lost!) or by using public transport. Both hold monumental advantages over taxis and hiring a car; you’re not just breezing past landmarks, you will most probably stop and investigate them for yourself. It means that you can really soak up a new destination and find out if it’s worth returning to in future.
Auckland, also renowned as the City of Sails, is considered as New Zealand’s true metropolis. From art galleries, monuments, and museums to amazing suburban coastline, fine beaches, and spectacular scenery, Auckland gives you the complete travel experience.
In fact, there’s so much to experience in this city all year round. No matter what your preferences are, you can enjoy superb food and wine, unique cultural experiences, beautiful beaches, world- class shopping, countless action and adventure, and island escapes.
Below are some of the travel tips you can consider to make the most out of your time around Auckland:
1. Choose the Best Transportation Options in Auckland for You
The cheapest and efficient way to get around Auckland is through the Link buses. But, you can
One of the Link buses is the InnerLink Bus, which is in bright green color and runs within the inner city of Auckland. OuterLink buses, on the other hand, are bright amber buses that can help you travel around the inner suburbs of the city.
Another Link bus option is CityLink, which is in bright red color, and can be beneficial when you’re getting around the city center of Auckland. All of these buses operate on a regular basis.
Another viable option is walking, especially if you want to avoid frustrations, like limited parking spots and traffic. However, if you’re planning to get to one of the islands of Auckland, you have to hop on one of the ferries in the city.
2. Visit Waiheke Island Waiheke Island is Auckland’s most popular island. The villages on the island are home to a
thriving café culture and art galleries, while the coast takes pride of white-sand beaches.
If you love adventure and want to have fun in New Zealand’s big city, different trails wind along the coastline and throughout the island’s interior.
For a challenging hike and spectacular views, you can consider Church Bay Circuit, which offers a great 3-hour walk and showcases the best of Waiheke Island.
3. Take a Wine Tour
If you’re a wine lover, you’ll surely enjoy your trip to Auckland. Located in one of the most verdant wine regions of New Zealand, tourists can learn about the wine-making heritage of the region and try some wine samples that are locally produced.
More often than not, a guided wine tour only allows small groups, typically no more than six people, to ensure the best and personalized experience.
4. Explore The Streets of Auckland on Foot via Aucky Walky Tour There are various ways to get to know more about the city of Auckland. One of these is through
exploring the streets on foot.
With the Aucky Walky Tour, it’ll help you discover the landmarks and legends of Auckland. You can also get to know about Maori history, hidden spots, and local cuisines you should definitely try.
With this guided tour, you’ll see the award-winning art gallery, stylish back lanes, and serene parks. Usually, the tour takes up to 2.5 hours with rest stops.
5. Visit the Iconic Sky Tower
Sky Tower is considered one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, which offers more than a viewing platform. At its base, it houses a casino complex and various amenities that every traveler can enjoy.
The Sky Tower’s bulbous floors are located below the antenna section that boasts of having multiple restaurants, like the only revolving eatery in New Zealand. You can also enjoy bungee jumping in this tower.
6. Discover the Rich History of New Zealand at Maritime Museum
If you want to know more about the rich history of New Zealand, you’ll never regret visiting the New Zealand Maritime Museum. It’ll satisfy your curiosity by enabling you to witness the stories of the nation.
From the yachting success to the first Polynesians in New Zealand and the settlement and discovery by Europeans, you’ll be amazed by the museum’s attention to detail.
7. Indulge Great Food and Beverages at Food Alley
If you’re a food lover, awesome Auckland will not disappoint you since it has a colorful bazaar that serves classic Eastern-flavored cuisines every day.
The Food Alley is filled with food stalls that offer Asian food, such as Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian, Indian, and Thai. There are also some bars that can satisfy your cravings for refreshments.
Some of the food and beverages you can try are:
● Tuatua: An indigenous shellfish, which is known for its softer and milder texture compared to some types of shellfish.
● Lolly Cake: It’s a classic Kiwi dessert that’s made with ingredients including marshmallows, candies, and some sweets.
● Hokey Pokey: It’s a vanilla ice cream that’s mixed with delicious, caramelized sugar.
● Whitebait Fritter: It’s made of the juvenile fish that’s cooked with flour and egg tomake a crispy omelet.
● Afghans: These are the crunchy chocolate cookies of New Zealand.
8. Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
When traveling to Auckland, make sure to find the best accommodation option that’s close to the city center and other popular sightseeing spots.
Basically, there are numerous hotels you can consider. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly ones. Pick something that’ll give you ease when accessing the spots you want to visit while you’re in Auckland.
Depending on your budget and preferences, luxury hotels are worth it, especially the ones that offer harbor views with great restaurants. With mid-range hotels, expect high-end accommodations at mid-range fees.
On the contrary, budget hotels may be budget-friendly, but most of these hotels boast high standard rooms perfect for families or travelers who want to save money on accommodation.
9. Don’t Miss the Beautiful West Coast Beaches
The west coast of Auckland is home to several beautiful beaches. However, tourists must be aware that most of the beaches can be dangerous for heavy surf, treacherous undertow, and bathers to sheer rocks.
One of the best spots in the city is Piha Beach, which is ideal for sunbathing and picnic. It’s also a perfect place for local surfers.
10.Enjoy Bungee Jumping at Auckland Harbour Bridge Adventure
Auckland Harbour Bridge dominates the central harbor. It was built in 1959 and it’s 43m high and 1km long. This bridge basically connects downtown Auckland to the city’s northern districts and sandy beaches of the farther north.
Aside from a sightseeing experience, you can also enjoy bungee jumping in Auckland Harbour Bridge. This experience includes traversing a bridge walk before plunging 40m to the harbor water below.
If you don’t like bungee jumping, you can just join a guided bridge climb instead.
Conclusion
As the most diverse and largest city of New Zealand, Auckland is absolutely a great travel destination if you want to experience a wide variety of attractions.
However, regardless of your travel experience, make sure to keep those tips mentioned above when getting around Auckland. Those travel tips will not just help you plan your itineraries, but they can also serve as your guide while making every second of your stay in Auckland. worthwhile.
If you’ve been looking to pick up a hobby, you can’t go wrong with hiking. It allows you to connect with nature and escape your everyday life for a little while. Plus, hiking offers many health benefits, including improved bone density, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a beginner hiker is picking a trail that’s either too long or has too much intense climbing. Start with a trail that’s under five miles long and is relatively flat. This way, you can evaluate how much your body can handle.
If you have bigger hikes in mind, slowly train up to them. Increase your distance traveled by a mile or two every week until you reach your target distance.
Before you set out on your adventure, be familiar with the trail. Get an idea of how long it takes an average person and where any potentially tricky parts are. You don’t have to commit the entire trail to memory, but you should know what to expect.
Invest in the Right Gear
Even if you’re completing a shorter trail, you shouldn’t wear casual clothes like jeans or sandals. Jeans will weigh you down and cause chafing and excessive sweating. Instead, opt for a pair of athletic shorts.
If the terrain you are walking on is particularly dense with vegetation, consider wearing tights or long pants. These will protect you from getting scratches from bushes and plants.
When it comes to your top, wear a moisture-wicking shirt to keep yourself from overheating. Choose a short or long-sleeved shirt depending on your area’s climate.
A sturdy pair of sneakers should get you through your first trail. However, if you plan on hiking regularly, consider getting a reliable pair of hiking shoes. The right hiking shoe should not only provide comfort, but it should also offer optimal stability and support.
Bring Your Map with You
Some hikers enter their first hike with a heightened sense of confidence. Even if you are confident in your navigation abilities, always bring some guidance with you. Print out your trail’s map. If the weather is inclement, bring a Ziploc bag to keep it from getting ruined.
While a physical copy of your map is important, you should also bring an electronic version. Before you leave for your adventure, make sure you have an online and offline version of your map available.
Never rely on the physical or electronic version of your map alone. Your phone may get dropped or lose service, while your physical map may become ruined or difficult to read. It’s always a good idea to have a backup version of your map, especially on a course you’ve never completed before.
Plan Each Hiking Trip
Before you start your hike, it’s a good idea to plan it out. Find a time to go that’s right for you. If you want to avoid crowded trails, go in the morning. If you’re nervous about completing a course alone, go later in the day when more people are likely to be out.
Some other things you should do before each hike are:
● Check the weather
● Call the park to ensure the trail you want to use isn’t closed for repairs
● Acquire any necessary permits for the trail you want to use
● Let someone know you’re going hiking as a precaution
Take Your Time
Hiking is not a race; instead, it’s a time to enjoy the outdoors. If you want to challenge yourself, aim to keep a steady pace instead of a quick one. You’ll need to conserve your energy, especially on a longer trail. Ideally, you should have some energy to spare if you get lost and need to backtrack.
As you’re walking, be on the lookout for potential threats like snakes, rocks, protruding roots, and poisonous plants. If you take your time while walking a trail, you’ll be able to keep a better eye on these hazards.
Hiker’s Etiquette
For some final thoughts, here are some pieces of common hiker’s etiquette:
● Music: Headphones are okay, but don’t play music out loud.
● Dogs: If you want to bring your pup with you, be sure to keep him on a leash and under control.
● Shortcuts: To protect fragile wildlife, never veer off of the designated trail.
● Talking: You can talk on the phone or with a hiking partner, but keep the volume low to respect other hikers.
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.
Whilst underwater bedrooms, infinity pools, yachts and Michelin meals may be what some individuals look for in a travel itinerary, Will Hatton is not one of them. Through his travel blog, The Broke Backpacker, Hatton is proving that the term ‘budget’ needn’t just be associated with lighter pockets and tighter purse strings. For most of his time travelling Hatton survived on just $10 a day, yet his resulting experience doesn’t seem in anyway hampered, modest or lacking. Instead budget travel has become the epicentre of Hatton himself: its impressions are in his love life, his career, his memories and his palpable exuberance and passion.
Hatton’s ‘poor man’ approach to travelling has allowed him to become rich in experience. Yet despite Hatton’s certainty that budget travel is the right travel, we are still constantly goaded with the allure of luxury, pushed towards us by travel agents, social media influencers and glossy magazines. With such an overwhelming market for luxury travel that smothers its less glamorous yet, crucially, more accessible cousin, Hatton’s grand claim that budget travel is superior is certainly worth listening to.
The most blatant benefit of budget travel according to Hatton is, as the name suggests, the fact it is cheaper than its luxury counterpart. This means that the cliché tale of young individuals desperately pursuing unfulfilling and uninteresting jobs in order to finance their trips needn’t be the case. This is a concept that Hatton is all too familiar with. Through gritted teeth he recalls his pre-travelling 60 hour working weeks that started at 5am: unloading lorries for minimum wage. Once he quit and went on the road he never looked back. In a similar vein, it means that travellers don’t need to run their finances in to the ground during their trip, grappling for jobs or turning to parents upon return. As many young nomads can tell you, nothing feels smaller than your childhood bedroom once you’ve seen the big wide world. Yet for Hatton, who has now dedicated his life to travelling with no plans of stopping anytime soon, the key financial benefit of saving the pennies and the pounds is that it enables him and other nomads to travel for longer. After 10 years of travelling, Hatton still has a hunger for more: a testament to how enjoyable ‘slumming it’ can really be.
For Hatton, budget travel is no longer a lifestyle he is pushed towards, yet even on his enviable salary he surprisingly continues to favour this modest budget. Because what the label of ‘budget’ fails to disclose, is the wealth of benefits beyond a number or sum. Perhaps the label of ‘authentic travel’, ‘transformative travel’ or ‘rewarding travel’ may be more fitting, as the type of travel that Hatton boasts about on his blog goes beyond a pair of hareem pants and a selfie stick. In order to travel for longer, Hatton would often monetise his time by working a few hours in return for board at hostels or in people’s homes. This gave him more time with local people. He was able to form relationships with them and develop a deep and unparalleled understanding of culture that can’t be found in a resort or tour. The people that hosted him and worked alongside him showed him their Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, took him to hidden gems untouched by western package companies. Hatton fondly describes his quest to monetise his days as adventures, using the time he milked a goat as a prime example.What’s more, in the case of many popular travel destinations, small scale employment can support the local businesses of impoverished communities. Hatton by no means sugar-coats how tough this less polished form of travelling can be. It’s unpredictable, but what can be predicted is the self-growth and evolution that comes from being pushed out of the confines of a comfort zone. He aptly argues that the more difficulties you experience, the more capable you become.
Yet for Hatton, the most poignant benefit of budget travel has to be the opportunities he’s had to meet like minded people in hostels and bars. In the absence of the typical western comforts of cosy bedding, soundproof windows and trashy television, travellers can find comfort in the company of others. However, I don’t think even Budget travel aficionado William Hatton could have expected such company to last as long as it has for him. In 2015 Hatton set out on an incredible adventure, travelling from the UK to Papua New Guinea with out the use of flights. He reached Iran suspecting it may be a country where company is harder to find, but then he met Nina and promptly fell in love. But beyond meeting this remarkable woman who is now his wife, are the innumerable faces that embellish his adventures: the washed-up Rockstar, the stripper, the Russian tycoon, the professional poker player, the Kurdish freedom fighter. He likens it to speed dating for friends. Hatton’s version of travel would not fit on the pages of a holiday brochure. It is not prescriptive, text book or replicable… But that’s its charm. Budget travel belongs to the traveller and runs deeper than a perfect Instagram photo. Hatton and his blog serve as proud, living evidence that quality of experience needn’t be dependent on money.
With so much to gain with such little expense, perhaps new cultures, cuisines and quests are closer than we think. Ten minutes of delving in to the archives of The Broke Backpacker and it already seems an injustice to try and compare budget with luxury. Whilst the Balinese beds and overpriced cocktails may still be beckoning, they only promise a chance to relax and have temporary fun. Meanwhile, budget travel offers the opportunity to curate a unique adventure that will be etched in to you for years after the return flight- if you ever decide to return. However, despite his best efforts, Hatton understands that part of the magic of his experience is that the majority of it transcends a blog or article. An itinerary can be written on a page but the smells, sounds and feelings of a country cannot. Whilst The Broke Backpacker can successfully serve as a foundation to promote and encourage more budget travel, the only way to be truly convinced is to pack a bag (lightly), book a flight and take the plunge.
You see pictures all over in online publications, magazines of people just blissfully standing on this board and paddling away into the sunrise. Must be easy enough?
This is ultimately up to you if you are trying a paddleboard for the first time I would rent one of an hour or two to see how you like the activity! There are a lot of different locations that will have them available to you. Starting out I would paddle in calmer water like protected bays and smaller lakes to ensure that you have a stable surface to balance on.
If you decide to jump right in and own a Paddle Board front he get-go you have more flexibility as to where to go. Inflatable paddleboards are easier to transport while hardboard will give you more stability on the water.
Starting Out
Before you board your SUP be sure that you launch from a safe, calm area. A place with lots of sand is usually a pretty good launching point in case you fall off. Try to avoid any areas with bigger rocks or barnacles around as those can do some damage!
Launching
To start off with, wade into knee-deep water with your paddleboard ahead of you.
Place your paddle across your board and place whichever knee is closest to the board on it. As soon as it feels stable enough, climb onto the stand-up paddleboard.
At this point, you will be on all fours on the board. From here try to get on your knees and get adapted to paddling the board around for a bit from your knees. By all means, you can just stay on your knees or sit down and paddle.
Place one knee in front of the chest with your foot firmly places on the board
Start to rise and put your other foot parallel to your other foot and in the “squat” position slowly rise.
When you are in the standing position it is highly recommended that you place the blade of your paddle in the water and start a slow paddling motion. The board will be easier to balance when it has momentum on the water, similar to a bicycle.
Once you have a bit of momentum in the water try and find that sweet spot of balance on your board by slowly sifting your feet around. If it feels at least semi-balanced then stay in your position and keep paddling gently.
Paddle Technique
You will notice that a SUP paddle is different from a kayak paddle in that the blade looks tilted to one side. You want to make sure that when you are paddling, the blade is pointed away from you not towards you. This ensures that you have better power per stroke and makes it easier to move around in the water. When gripping your paddle make sure that one hand is at the very top of the handle gripping it firmly, and the other hand is on the upper middle part of the shaft.
What if you Fall?
If you are just starting out, there is a good chance that you may fall into the water. It’s all part of the learning experience! If you are at the point of no return and are extremely unbalanced, try to fall feet first! This will lessen the probability of you hitting your head on the board or any other object that may be nearby. You should also be wearing a PFD and an ankle leash so that you can be safe in the water all the while having your board close by.
When you fall in the water, the first priority is to get your paddle. After all, you don’t want to be down Schitts Creek without a paddle! I highly recommend getting a paddle that actually floats in the water to lessen the percentage of you losing it. Once you grab your paddle, swim back to your SUP and prepare to board.
To get back onto your paddleboard simply go to its side, place your paddle across the board so that it doesn’t fall off, and haul yourself onto the board using the carry handle of the paddleboard. Think of it the same way as a seal would haul himself onto an ice flow.
Wrapping it Up
After your first couple of tries, you should get an idea if stand up paddle boarding is for you or not. As with anything in life, the more you practice, the more comfortable you will be on the board. After a few years of me paddleboarding and making all the mistakes you can possibly make. These methods will help ease your learning curve. Remember paddleboarding is a fun activity to be enjoyed. I personally find it extremely meditative to be out on the calm water, listening to the breeze and gazing into the horizon. You will find the gentle rocking will relax and you all of the problems you faced previously will all but float away.
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.
Transport Tuscany to Your Kitchen With Live Cooking Classes and Wine Tasting with Tuscany Now and More
Bring a taste of Italy to the table and learn to cook Tuscany’s favourite comfort food and taste Italy’s best wines through digital cooking and wine tasting classes from Tuscany Now & More’s Instagram account.
The special series will be available through Tuscany Now & More Instagram account @tuscanynowandmore and will include expert pasta making, cooking and wine tasting. Following the first live session on Sunday 29th March, a masterclass pasta course from Chef Francesco Maruccelli, Resident Chef at The Estate of Petroio is now available on Tuscany Now & More’s InstaStories. With a list of ingredients also available online, the easy-to-follow video showcases traditional Tuscan dish, Pici Al Pomodoro. The next cooking class will be Tiramisu ready for Easter weekend!
Tuscany Now & More will continue with classes every Sunday throughout the Spring and Summer. Ingredients and wine choices will be posted each Wednesday. All classes will also be available in the Tuscany Now & More Instagram stories, for anyone that cannot tune in live.
Enjoy the magic of Tuscany from afar and be inspired at home to try your hand and some classic Italian recipes #italycomestoyou. Follow @tuscanynowandmore for updates.
Live 360 Footage of the Mountains withCourmayeur Mont Blanc
Courmayeur Mont Blanc is situated on the Italian side of Mont Blanc (the sunnier side!) and is a traditional yet sophisticated resort full of history and charm and surrounded by spectacular scenery. Only here, do visitors have full access to Skyway Monte Bianco, a 360 degree cable car which transports people up 3,500m up the Mont Blanc. Courmayeur Mont Blanc has granted us all online access to their exclusive webcam. We can now see live footage of the resort, our favourite ski slopes and the SkyWay experience from the comfort of the comfort of our home. If you simply can’t get enough of mountain life, comforting Alpine favourites are also available for you to recreate at home.
MarBella Collection is now offering mindfulness colouring-in of images of their three beautiful hotels and their surroundings, including their new property MarBella Elix opening Summer 2020 in Parga. Let your imagination run free and dream of travel in stunning Greek nature.
In the current climate, whisking yourself away to your dream location for a spot of yoga on the docks or paddleboarding on the calm sea feels like a distant dream. But with MarBella Collection’s new mindfulness colouring, they’re bringing these dreams to life and to your own home. Colouring books for adults emerged as a trend early last year and now there are colouring books for practically any interest – and travel shouldn’t be left out of that. Take a step away from your home working desktop and into a true travellers dream that’s personalised by you with your favourite colours, painting the picturesque surroundings of Corfu and Parga. Download the colouring sheets from www.marbellacollection.gr
Get Ready for the First Ever Derry Girls Tour
With season 3 of smash hit Channel 4 show, Derry Girls on the horizon and predicted to land on our screens by May, now is the perfect time to squeeze in a new series – and look forward to a visit to the set later this year. Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland, has unleashed a brand new tour package experience devoted to the show, where fans and to-be fans can watch now, travel later. Brush up on your knowledge now and get ready to walk in the footsteps of Erin, Michelle, or even the wee English fella later at key locations from the series such as the Guildhall and Dennis’s Wee Shop.
On this tour you will get to see where key scenes took place during a Walled City Walking Tour where visitors can walk through the life of a true Derry Girl and hear about life in the Bodside during the troubles from an expert local guide. The tour finishes at the famous Derry Girls Mural where guests can take a selfie and be pledged as a Derry Girl, or boy. Derry Girls is available on Netflix and All4.
Get Fit From Home with Quinta do Lago’s Live Fitness Classes from The Campus
As millions of us now sit at home, sequestering ourselves to help stop the spread of coronavirus, we need now more than ever an easy, quick fix, for keeping fit. If you’re looking to run away from your desktop disasters or children tantrums you can release tension with Quinta do Lago’s brand new virtual classes. Now live streaming, you can experience the same high-performance facilities as top athletes Rio Ferdinand and the entire Irish rugby team who have used The Campus. So jump up, put your indoor trainers on, turn up the heat and imagine you’re training at the heart of Portugal.
The Campus is a state of the art sports facility with beginners’ clinics, private professional coaching and sunshine all year round. They offer fitness classes and activities which can be done by the whole family. The Campus offers a wide array of fitness classes from Barre Fitness to Express Boxfit and Yogalates. Check out www.quintadolago.com
Longevity Wellness Worldwide’s Playlist – Wellness Soundtrack for Working from Home
The normal work day has taken a different form, bringing its own pressures and tensions. As a result, Longevity Wellness Worldwide has introduced a new work from home playlist to help de-stress and relax. A leader in spa, health and integrative wellness services, Longevity’s new playlist brings the relaxing and nurturing atmosphere of these three wellness hotels in the Algarve right to your door.
Longevity Wellness Worldwide’s has curated a playlist that includes a range of music from relaxing summer songs that recreate the Portuguese holiday experience; to spa relaxation music; and to Portuguese artists, including Bernardo Sassetti, Salvaor Sobral and Luisa Sobral. Visit the instagram @longevityalvor for more information.
The Icefields Parkway is the beating heart of Alberta, and a drive across its season-altering 181 miles engulfs the mind in all the preconceptions one might have of Canada before journeying there. Whilst most might sit bored during a road trip, conjuring up games of I spy, the famed Icefields Parkway makes no time for apathy. Passing between mountains drenched in snow that look akin to a Mac screensaver, to wide rocky riverbeds and cheeky mountain goats, the trip makes for a feast for the senses and becomes an eclectic extravaganza paved into your memory forever.
Describing it as magical seems an injustice. In fact, describing it at all is arduous, because this UNESCO World Heritage Site sits in the mind as somewhere you simply must visit in order to revel in the spellbinding nature of it all. The road trip is renowned for taking travellers from Jasper to Banff, traversing the beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site from Jasper, along the parkway that leads to Banff, whilst soaring past eerily beautiful lakes, from Herbert to Bow and Peyto.
Places touched upon include Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, provincial parks and Banff National Parks and, whilst it’s estimated to take a minimum of three hours, the many beauty indulging stops along the way accumulates many more hours on the clock. A stop-off at where the filming of The Revenant took place might be on your list. The movie that sees Leonardo Di Caprio fending off a grizzly and traipsing through billows of snow is filmed here, highlighting scenes that significantly reflect the weather conditions of Icefields Parkway. In fact, in no better capacity will you witness all four seasons in such a short space of time. The warmer climes of Lake Louise, Banff, turn to leaves in autumnal shades falling from trees, into gallons of shining white snow on top of mountains, that lie in fields jotted with babbling brooks and wildlife.
Wildlife is rife, from bears to bobcats; in fact, we got held up as an elk plodded slow as a snail across the road, causing lines of cars but no complaints. Seeing wildlife up close and personal aligns as one of the top highlights during a Canadian Rockies visit, and my eyes remained at all times peeled for a grizzly bear, unmistakable by their dish-shaped faces and muscular humped shoulders. Black bears too haunt the Icefields Parkway, plodding along and chomping on plants and berries to appease their omnivorous diet. Alas, I didn’t see a bear and decided wandering through the foliage to find one wasn’t the sharpest plan. Maybe next time.
The Icefields Parkway caters for a cold safari, with over 53 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds playing amongst its eclectic expanse. I clapped my eyes on woodland caribou and the occasional mountain goat, which was triumph enough for me. If you’re lucky, however, you may be able to seek them all out, with bighorn sheep, lynx and bobcats, marmots and ptarmigans flitting and scurrying about. Slow down the car as you pass through the Kerkeslin goat lick, just 15 minutes north of Sunwapta. Mountain goats congregate on the rocks, licking the salty mineral deposits left there, and show off their impressive footwork!
Animals aside, or blocking the road rather, the hair raising spot to begin your drive is Lake Louise. The dreamlike landscape was, quite possibly, the most beautiful place I’ve ever clapped my eyes on. The emerald green waters, offset by rugged peaks and glaciers, sparkle captivatingly. The Victoria Glacier acts as a tremendous pin-point before a trek about the area. However, if you’re unprepared to battle fellow tourists, I highly suggest jumping in a canoe and taking to the waters. You’ll paddle out and either sit dumb-founded in the centre as you take in the sheer velocity of it all or make your way calmly around the glistening circumference. Beware, the water is a chilling 5C at best, so it’s recommended you don the life jacket at all times, but afterwards you can clasp your hands around a hot choc at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and replenish lost heat.
Waterfalls, too, dominate the Icefields Parkway. Athabasca is perhaps the most impressive, with its bright blue waters set against mountainous backdrops. It’s an idyllic area to explore various trails and capture the sunset alpenglow. Sunwapta Falls also make for a popular stop-off. Descending into deep limestone gorges, the falls feed off the Athabasca Glacier, and boast the same icy blue tones. For a place to stop and refuel between the falls, swing by Communitea Café, a favourite of Matthew McConaughey and family. The adorable spot can be found serving up delightful, fresh and Instagrammable bowls, snug in Canmore, and replenishes the body before journeying on.
Living up to its namesake, this road trip also sees nomads trek across the largest ice field in the North American Rockies – the Columbia Icefield. You can admire its 325km expanse from the Highway, or board an enormous bubble-wheeled bus and indulge your inner Colin O’ Brady. Moving on to another day, you can reach the Parkway’s highest point – Bow Summit – at approximately 7,000 feet. Out with the camera for views of a lifetime. A trip onwards to Peyto Lake and a viewing point there will see you in utopia Canadian style. Still following the Saskatchewan River, take in spectacular falls and don’t miss glancing the fauna and flora as it all blends to make up this huge natural mural.
Time for a refuel? Obviously, the tea stops, restaurants, hotels and so on, have names as intriguing as the natural sights themselves. For instance, the Num Ti Jah Lodge by Bow Lake, for a room and food. Baker Creek Mountain Resort, Banff Tea Co tea shop and Lake Agnes Tea House to name a few, will help plan refreshing, relaxing and reflective road stops. And, if it is tea you love, then join the trail to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, close to Mount Lefroy on the Continental Divide close to the Victoria Glacier – a favourite tea house hike apparently!
Venturing on, somewhat akin to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, the Kananaskis Nordic Spa is a 50,000-square foot alpine retreat that can also be found along the drive. Sitting just 45 minutes southwest of Calgary, the spa is cradled by mountains and wildlife, and submerges you in relaxation. Here, you’ll find five pools that differ in temperate, including Banya, Finnish and Barrel saunas, and an Alchemist and Eucalyptus steam cabin. You feel immediately at one with nature, amongst rugged peaks and tartan dressing gowns. Alberta’s Kananaskis Nordic Spa is somewhere where you don’t even want your phone – there’s something far too tranquil, too Bear Grylls about it all that technology just seems rather alien.
What are the best sights? How long is a piece of string? Reading up pre-visit will enlighten you to all there is to see and do on the Icefields Parkway drive, with photos, information, booking telephone numbers and all. Maybe these few tips will start you off on a search. Canada is a North American country where star-washed skies, intimidating forestry and stumbling across mesmerising bodies of water are a given, alongside the odd glimpse of the Northern Lights, flittering past as you drive amongst snow-capped mountains.
I couldn’t get enough of the dizzying drive and my travels along it. The iconic drive, which rivals that of Route 66 in my eyes, stretches 232km’s and amounted to around five hours of driving during my visit. It really stuck out as a drive that needs devotion. Whether it’s Pyramid Lake Resort or Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls, there’ll be no utterings of “are we there yet?” going on during the Icefields Parkway.
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.
