Resort Guides

Heavenly Holiday Destinations For 2013 Every year, major hoteliers hope that their newest hotels and resorts will entice visitors through their doors. Here are a couple of places to consider, where no expense has been spared on creating a blissful environment for your holiday. Rest assured, a luxury setting doesn't necessarily mean a luxury price tag, and there are plenty of flight operators, such as Ryanair offering spring deals to make the whole holiday idea much more appealing.  Bordeaux - France You may long for a trip the wine region - and if so, try out the new Mama Shelter in Bordeaux due to open in the summer 2013. Spacious and comfortable rooms in a gorgeous setting are expected, but the prices won't have you gasping into your wine glass. It will be a great place to base your holiday while you indulge in all things French! If you want to improve your appreciation and understanding of wine, you can book in for an introductory course at the Ecole du Vin, found

Especially in the winter months, people love flying off to a far away resorts that are exotic and sunny. If you’re indulging in a tropical or beach vacation, the biggest threat to your health is going to be the sun. To prevent burns and reduce your risk of skin cancer, follow these steps to protect your skin. Cover Up During a tropical vacation it’s very important to cover up - and not just with sunscreen. Limit your exposure to the sun by wearing extra clothing, such as a sarong or wrap.  If you can stand it, lightweight long sleeves and long pants will provide the most protection. If you stay out by the pool or beach for long periods of time, covering up is essential. At the very least, place your towel overtop different parts of your body throughout the day. Accessorize Sunglasses are the most important accessory you can bring during your tropical vacation. Make sure that the sunglasses you purchase specifically state that they block UV rays, because not all sunglasses do.

Known as the world’s tropical paradise, Mauritius boasts a wealth of beautiful beaches and lush sceneries which promise to astound anyone who visits. The island is around 2000 square kilometres, with its picturesque beaches taking up 330 km, making Mauritius an intimate but not isolated location for your holiday. There is much to see and do there, so we’ve put together a list of Mauritius’ top 5 activities to help you decide! Sky Dive Are you feeling adventurous? Do you want to experience the rush of adrenaline, and view the island in a whole different light?  Then strap on your parachute and get ready to skydive! Skydiving in Mauritius is a unique and exciting experience, as you fly over the tropical paradise and prepare yourself to jump 10,000 feet. Don’t panic, you won’t be on your own: you’ll be strapped to an experienced skydiver, so all you have to do is take a deep breath and enjoy the incredible scenery! If you’ve never been skydiving before then skydiving in Mauritiu

The quiet of a snow covered mountain, the crunch of pristine new powder, and swoosh of your skis rushing down the mountain are the symphony of sounds that induce a trance like state for most skiing enthusiasts.  For some however, such bucolic surroundings only induce yawns and a yearning for more excitement. These adventurers crave the risk of avalanche, glistening hidden ice patches, war zone mountain borders, and even the hidden land mine. Yikes, be careful where you put that ski pole. Gulmarg, Kashmir Found in India, Gulmarg (translation: Meadow of Flowers) is nestled between the military line between the Indian and Pakistani civil war. This tenuous border between Jammu and Kashmir is not a legal internationally recognized border but more a line in the sand that one’s skis should not dance over. Despite the lingering threat of civil war, Gulmarg is heaven on earth with its Gondola that reaches into the heavens, heli-skiing, and world’s highest 18-hole golf

A Culinary Guide to Paris It’s a well-known fact people go to Paris to eat and, unless you are a bit of a foodie, it can be considered daunting due to the complex rituals of the markets, the enormous varieties of wine, choosing a restaurant to dine in, and their almost clandestine and esoteric rules regarding food. This article is an aid to cracking the Parisian code, a guide for all types of restaurants and all things food in the city of love. We start with the top end of culinary dining, the gourmet restaurants renowned for excellent wines and multi-winner Michelin-star chefs. Restaurant le Meurice This extravagant restaurant is the crème de la crème of dining out – their 3 Michelin-star awards speak a thousand words. Chef Yannick Alléno offers a varied and rich menu, the cuisine audacious and modern. Restaurant Le Meurice is a gastronomic heaven, exuding opulence from every corner. Your palate will be delighted and overwhelmed by Yannick Alléno’s outst

Mykonos is a Greek island situated on the Aegean Sea and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. It is famed for its party atmosphere, beautiful scenery and gorgeous beaches but is also home to many cultural attractions. The tourist season stretches from around May – October and the best time to visit Mykonos depends on a number of factors; namely how hot, crowded and loud you like your holiday. The Best Time To Visit Mykonos   Early Season – May - June   For many, early season is the best time to visit Mykonos as it offers a number of potential advantages. Through May and June, prices are considerably cheaper especially when it comes to accommodation so by going early you can literally save hundreds of pounds. If large crowds are not your thing, then early season is preferable also and while the temperature will be a little lower, it should still be between 20 – 25 degrees centigrade so the beaches will still be enjoyable, just a little quieter.

For most of its short life Hotel Chocolat has been just a name, a branding exercise to promote a new entry into the British luxury chocolate market. What the company did not have was a real, tangible hotel attached. But it does now , as proved by my real, tangible cocoa gazpacho, served in the one-year-old hotel restaurant. Because, by 2006, such was the success of this sophisticated approachability that Hotel Chocolat had become one of Britain’s top luxury chocolatiers — and had money sloshing around. Some of this, as it happens, was provided by me during a Christmas shopping trip in which I distinctly recall thinking: “Why is this chocolate so expensive?” The location chosen for the hotel was the Rabot estate in St Lucia . Founded in 1745, it was run first with slaves of the French, then slaves of the British. Today it has moved with the times and pays its staff. Other aspects of its heritage, however, are more prominent. On the ceilings above me, tastefu

Snowboarding in Zermatt is the ultimate dream of every snowboarder. Why, you may ask. Well, maybe because Zermatt, which is nestled at the foot of the wonderfully majestic Matterhorn, has amazing and challenging terrain that surpasses any other. In spectacular panoramic scenery you can snowboard the 21km of runs on the Theodul glacier, maybe dare to overcome the popular black run at the National or champion the moguls at the notably challenging Triftji. Whatever you choose you will not be disappointed because these areas there to excite and test your snowboarding skills. As well as those already mentioned there are other areas that snowboarders can enjoy, such as the 39km of untouched powder yellow runs, where boarders can free ride on the steeps and drops and the 200m super-pipe in Gravity Park where freestylers can show off their skills. So as you can see there is a lot to do and great fun to be had by all in Zermatt. Zermatt Snow Parks If going down the slopes at a fast

Sitges is a small seaside town in the autonomous region of Catalonia, perched on the Costa Garaff only 35 kilometres south of Barcelona. Sitges Highlights Sitges biggest claim to fame is its International film festival held every October that attracts thousands of cinema fans, and also a few celebrities from around the world. Sitges is also talked about as being one of the most gay-friendly towns in Europe. As you can imagine the town comes alive each primavera for the week-long carnival celebrations tuning everywhere into one big Bourbon Street. Sitges is the perfect place to relax at or include in your trip to Barcelona. Accommodation If you dream about living like one of those famous celebrities who come to Sitges for the film festival book yourself a room at the Dolce Hotel. High up in the hills above the town you have a spectacular view of the bay, and beaches. This gem of a hotel is so nice that you may never want to leave. Just lie back on your sun-lounger by the po

Luxurious things to do on a holiday in Marrakech Think of Marrakech and it's likely you'll imagine bustling souks, colourful spices and elaborate Arabian architecture. The city really does live up to this image, and is also an excellent place for a luxury holiday. Here are four things you should definitely do to have the full Marrakech experience in true style: Visit a hammam   Hammams are a type of spa designed to leave you feeling completely and utterly relaxed and rejuvenated. They've been around for centuries and offer sessions that normally last for two hours. First, you'll begin by moving through a set of increasingly hot rooms where the air has been perfumed with heady eucalyptus oil (working in a similar way to a sauna). Then, a specialist will use black soap to wash you with and a massage glove for exfoliation and super smooth skin. Female visitors have the option to undergo a hair removal treatment utilising the sugaring method at this point. Last

Bored with the same old beach holidays? Tired of theme parks and resorts? Perhaps it is time to sample the thrills of the great outdoors and what better place to start than Vancouver, where lifelong memories are made and the choice of things to do is endless. Adventure activities in Vancouver Flights Of Fancy To view Vancouver, Mount Baker and Vancouver Island from above, skydiving firms offer tandem skydiving experiencse from 10-12,500 ft. The 200kph free-fall followed by a five to six minute canopy ride to the ground is guaranteed to be one of the most exhilarating experiences you will ever have, with every moment recorded for posterity and presented to you with still shots and a jump certificate. Whistler Just two hours north of Vancouver in the Coast Mountains, is Whistler, Canada's number one mountain resort, featuring two magnificent mountains offering unrivalled skiing and snowboarding opportunities as well as hiking trails, championship golf cour

You probably have a list of things to do before you go on your cruise holiday . These might include buying sun screen, picking up your travellers' cheques or asking your neighbour to feed your cat. While all of these things are important, you should really also spend an hour or two doing a little research into the ports you will be visiting and in particular their crime rates. It is impossible for large cruise ships to sail into port unnoticed and in some places there are unscrupulous criminals who try to take advantage of unwary passengers. They know that relaxed holidaymakers with nothing but sun and fun on their minds can regularly be found strolling through a town. The various countries visited by cruise ships have differing levels of crime and a little research into which crimes are prevalent in your ports of call could well save you from becoming the next victim. Where to Find Information You can check online for warnings about crime in different locations. If yo

When you want to escape the hustle and bustle of busy, happening resort of Cabo San Lucas, take a drive to Loreto. The trip is fairly short and, best of all, you’ll be treated to gorgeous, breathtaking scenery along the way. Loreto is a colonial town surrounded by crystal-clear water, perfect for fishing, diving, and kayaking, all of which are popular activities in the area. Many people also visit Loreto to golf at Loreto Bay Golf Club or to go whale-watching. No visit to Loreto would be complete, however, without a trip to its historic San Javier Mission. This mission provides the perfect solace from the overwhelming Cabo San Lucas crowds and acts as a safe haven where you can enjoy quiet moments of spirituality or simply revel in the true spirit of Mexico. Yes, the touristy nightlife can be fun, but it’s also important to experience what Mexico is actually all about, and there’s no better way to do that than at the Mission. Spending some time browsing through the beautiful chur

While we know sometimes you feel in a rush to get away and will go just about anywhere to get a breather from work and the daily stresses of life, you do not want to rush when it comes to picking that perfect resort. If you aren't sure what to look for or maybe have never been on a vacation before then you've come to the right place. Today we are going to give you a few tips that should help you in choose just the right location for you so you are comfortable, safe and happy with your decision; getting the most out of your free time. Scope Out the Area Even if you choose a really nice resort, that does not mean you are going to be located in an area where you feel safe. A lot of the times, you may find some pretty amazing deals only to arrive and realize that the reason things are so cheap is because the area is a place most people would want to avoid. So, if you ever find a deal that seems too good to be true, try to figure out why. One way to get to know an area is to