Category Archives: Destinations

Europe, Luxury Travel, Sport and Adventure

10 Reasons Why Cruise in Croatia

Leave a comment
  1. CLEAR SEA

Croatia is, for years, in the top of European countries of sea cleanness. Sea quality is excellent in 99% cases of diameter measurements. Croatia is constantly taking care of sea cleanliness because of sea environment, clean nature and it’s development potential, especially for touristic ones.

Croatia, is on the quality of the sea,  in the top three countries.

  1. PERFECT WEATHER

Croatia belongs in the Mediterranean climate zone which is characterized by dry and warm summers and mild winters, with an average of 2,600 hours per year. The Adriatic coast is one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean and the sea temperature in summer period is from 25°C to 27°C. Croatian islands and middle Dalmatia have best climate, warmest summers and mild winters. All this makes Croatia ideal location, for summer and winter adventurers!

  1. BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES

Hidden bays, sandy beaches, secret uninhabited islands, amazing untouched nature, early sunrises and late sunsets. Croatia has fantastic natural landscapes, it is very known because of islands and coastal towns. Whole Croatia is full of greenery, but most beautiful are islands and Dalmatia, where summer shows all the best. Best way to discover Croatian landscape is gulet cruising Croatia.

  1. DIVINE FOOD

Mediterranean food is one of the best! That’s confirmed! Seashells, crabs, lobsters, shrimps, fishes, mussels, octopus and other divine seafood, are something that you MUST taste if you’re staying in Croatia. Amazing Croatian coast is one of the most beautiful and well known in the world. Characterized by amazing clear sea, beautiful landscapes, kind people and the best food ever. Because of its position, Croatia has the best climate and it makes it the top destination for tourists during the whole year, but especially during the summer period.

That is one of the things that makes Croatia such as it is – special.

  1. KIND PEOPLE

Croatian people are very kind and friendly. People in Dalmatia are traditionally engaged in tourism, and they will do their best, so that you can remember your cruising in Croatia, only for good things.

  1. PLENTY ACTIVITIES

Many restaurants, beaches & cocktail bars, beach entertainment with day and night activities are something that you can’t miss it in Croatia. Every bar and restaurant is full, every beach is full, jet skis, bananas, kayaks, paragliding, rafting and scuba diving are one of the many things that Croatian coast offers to their visitors.

  1. UNFORGETTABLE NIGHTS

As the matter of fact that Croatia is the host of Ultra Europe festival, good fun is guaranteed, that’s for sure! Festival revises town of Split in the middle of summer and it gives it special magic. Except for this manifestation, Croatia (particularly Dalmatia) lives during summer holidays, so because of that, your holidays will be filled with many fun, good people, cheap drinks and food. In summertime every night is a night to go out and have fun! 

  1. LOTS OF PEOPLE

Croatia is favorite destination for all ages of people, from younger till middle ages, so everybody will definitely find something for themselves. Beautiful beaches are perfect for long summer walks, quiet and louder restaurants and bars will find their customers, crowded or hidden beaches and bays are just waiting for swimmers. In every direction where you look can find many people, from tourists to local people. If you wish for a little piece, you can walk at the beach at night and enjoy in warm air and summer in Croatia. And you can go for a night swimming! We recommend!

  1. GOOD PRICES

This land is known because of good prices, so you will be able to eat, drink, have fun in a very cheap way. There are couple of things that are more expensive, but most prices are acceptable.

  1. PERFECT PLACE FOR PERFECT MEMORIES

You could not choose better country for making memories…
To see more check your Croatian cruise expert!

 

Asia, Shopping Guide

Florist of a New Kind – A Better Florist

Leave a comment

You’ll find everything in Singapore that you could ever imagine. It’s the land where people rarely can’t get what they set their minds to. But, in terms of flowers, we could rarely find something that literally took our breath away. Flower bouquets can be seen everywhere, but nothing was quite standing out. Until A Better Florist came along.

Their florists have unique designs and each flower bouquet and arrangement is carefully put together, until what the arrangement is absolutely perfect. It’s exactly what you would expect to see on Pinterest, but in real life. And finally, Singapore has a florist that does amazing bouquets. But that’s not all.

They also have the best gifts delivery Singapore has ever encountered because they can pretty much tackle anything with fruits, flowers and little gifts and turn it into a spectacular gift.

Imagine having the ideal gift and accompanying it with breathtaking flowers. And now imagine having a 24-hour florist Singapore florists offer every day of the year, so you have access to amazing gifts and flowers all the time. Well, now you don’t have to imagine because A Better Florist covers it all.

They are able to maintain a swift delivery because they have a florist in Suntec City, a Bugis florist and a flower shop in every part of Singapore. This enables them to tackle any order and deliver their gifts and flowers within only 90 minutes.

Such a large number of flower shops throughout entire Singapore also enables them to keep their flowers fresh for longer, and that means, you’ll get a longer lasting bouquet. You can always count on them because they are available 24/7/365. They make Valentine’s Day Flower Delivery in Singapore and work on even the busiest holidays, so all of their loyal customers and first-time customers don’t miss out on a chance to get their loved ones flowers. This makes them the best flower delivery in Singapore.

After reading more online to find out all there is to know about them, we’ve learned that they make almost every top 10 list on the most respectable websites. They are the best florist in Singapore, best florist in Hong Kong but also the best florist in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They have expanded beyond Singapore because their flowers impressed so many people outside of our sunny island. They are equally successful at maintaining their reputation when it comes to the delivery. The same principles and systems apply when it comes to their Dubai flower delivery and a Hong Kong flower delivery.

If you’re ever outside of Singapore, don’t hesitate to count on A Better Florist and the best flower delivery in Hong Kong.

A Better Florist is an excellent florist that every Singaporean should be crazy not to try out. They bring a little piece of flower heaven into the arms of all people who appreciate luxurious beauty.

It seems impossible that the best florist in Singapore can do it all, and still be cheap, fast and reliable, but don’t doubt it. Believe it. A Better Florist has truly revolutionized the world of flowers and you should definitely become a part of their world.

 

 

Cultural and Historical Heritage, Europe

North Ireland coast

1 Comment

North Ireland coast

Words: Len Rutledge  Images: Phensri Rutledge

Stunning coastline, windswept cliffs, spectacular scenery and fabulous unspoiled beaches are the promise on one of the world’s great road journeys. Unfortunately, all we can see at the moment is fog.

My wife and I are on the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland with high expectations but so far the results have been disappointing. We have crawled out of Belfast and are now peering through the gloom at Carrickfergus’s well-preserved 12th century Norman Castle.

The road heads north and the weather improves. It’s now inland to the charming village of Glenarm then on through flower-filled Broughshane where Saint Patrick is said to have tended livestock in the 5th century.

Bright sunshine appears on approaching Ballycastle. Our spirits have soared and so too has the scenery. We stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge which traverses a 30-metre deep canyon. I am immediately intimidated, however, despite my fears I make it across, as have salmon fishermen for 350 years.North Ireland coast

We are surprised to discover that the bridge is more than a kilometre from the car park but the walk along the cliff-top path is exhilarating with stunning views across to Rathlin Island. Spring has brought wildflowers and a profusion of bird life.

Rangers control access to the bridge and we are told that sometimes there are considerable delays for the thousands of visitors who want the challenge of the crossing.

It is now on to Northern Ireland’s top natural attraction, the Giant’s Causeway. Apart from the amazing layered basalt columns plunging into the ocean, there are famous legends and colourful folklore associated with the causeway.

The six-sided basalt columns have been formed when molten lava filled a river valley 60 million years ago, then cooled and cracked. The site is now owned by the National Trust there is an excellent Visitor’s Centre.

The area around the causeway is attractive. Grasslands, heath, cliffs, marshes, the rocky shore and the sea provide homes for a wide variety of plants and animals. We see purple orchid flowers, vivid yellow gorse, colourful stonechats, petrels and peregrine falcons.

The tourism development manager tells us how the causeway is made up of three promontories with one curving gently out to sea towards Scotland. She also points out strange rock formations known as the camel, the organ and the harp.

The historic 1830s Causeway Hotel is serving food but we cannot resist a visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery, Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery which was granted a licence in 1608. Luckily there are guided tours, a gift shop and a cafe.

A few kilometres, further along, is Dunluce Castle, said to be the most romantic and picturesque in Ireland. The ruined castle has clung onto its dramatic hilltop location since the 14th century. We pay the admission charge then wander around by ourselves fantasising about events long past.

Nearby Portrush has been a fun destination for generations of people and its beaches, hotels, amusements and stimulating nightlife are still here. We stop at the Royal Portrush Golf Club which is home to 2010 U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell and 2011 British Open Champion Darren Clarke.

The club founded in 1888 is one of Ireland’s premier tournament venues and has dramatic physical features that provide a formidable challenge to all players.

Mountsandel Wood is a venue of a different kind. This is the earliest known settlement of man in Ireland dating back nearly 10,000 years. There are an earthen fort and a forest walk.

Next is Downhill Demesne, a stunning landscaped park with sheltered gardens and cliff walks. Close to the edge of a sheer drop stands Mussendon Temple, an 18th century folly based on the Roman temple at Tivoli, Italy.

We drive on to Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s second city but our thoughts are still on the special place we have just visited. As they say here, “When God made time, he made plenty of it!” we have seen it in a day but we could equally have taken a week.

IF YOU GO.

The Irish Tourist Board can provide good information on Ireland and Northern Ireland. https://www.discoverireland.ie/

Detailed information on the region is available from www.causewaycoastandglens.com

For details on the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede attractions contact www.nationaltrust.org.uk

For Dunluce Castle information contact https://www.glenarmcastle.com/dunluce-castle

 

www.LenRutledge.com

Len Rutledge is the author of Experience Ireland 2018 available at https://amazon.com/dp/B078GJW7JK

Asia, Travel Tips

Best Places to Visit in Hong Kong – How to Experience this City to the Maximum

Leave a comment

Best places to visit in Hong Kong – How to experience this city to the maximum

It will take you more than one trip to explore all the best places in Hong Kong to the maximum. From temple visits, early morning hikes, unique dining experiences, shopping raids to theme park rides, overnight partying and racing track betting, Hong Kong has many amazing attractions for everyone and is suitable for all seasons. Its cultural diversity and rich history make this destination special, unique and endlessly fascinating. Here are some of the best places to visit in Hong Kong as well as things to see and do but remember that this is just a tip of the iceberg of one of the world’s most visited cities.

hong kong

1. The Star Ferry

The Star Ferry in Hong Kong can only be compared to the Eiffel Tower of Paris and is an absolute must while you are in this city. This vessel transports guests between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula providing them with a spectacular view of the city. The famous skyline of Hong Kong offers amazing photo opportunities, especially during the night.

2. The Street Markets

While on a tour of this great city, make sure to explore the diverse street markets that cater to different clienteles offering different kinds of merchandise. The Ladies’ Market, for example, specializes in different kinds of women’s clothing as well as accessories and is located in Mong Kok along Tung Choi street. The Temple Street Night Market is a nocturnal marketplace that is a favorite among visitors. With brightly lit stalls and a flurry of activity, you can find anything from culinary accessories, local food, electronics to clothing including opera singers and fortune tellers.

The Stanley Market is another place of note on Hong Kong Island’s Southern Coast. This marketplace occupies an old fishing village and is home to colorful souvenirs, jewellery as well as home decor. Visitors do not shy away from bargaining prices as low vendors are always willing to drop prices especially when you are about to walk away.

3. The Victoria Peak

Also known as The Peak, this tourist attraction site offers breathtaking views where visitors can experience Hong Kong’s blue waterways and skyscrapers. Victoria Peak is located atop Hong Kong Island’s highest point providing a spectacular scenic view of the Island.

4. The Ocean Park

This place provides an amazing natural scenery on the coastline with a diverse zoo where you can find plenty of dolphins and pandas. There is also an aquarium with rays and sharks as well as incredible carnival games and electrifying roller coasters. This is a good place to take your family for an underground funicular including a cable-car ride.

5. The Happy Valley Racecourse

Thousands of Hong Kong residents flock the Happy Valley Racecourse stands every Wednesday between September and July to watch the city’s only legal form of gambling. Horse racing gives happy valley an electric atmosphere and while many residents come here to bet, others simply visit this institution to watch the sparkling city skyline after the sun goes down.

6. The Nan Lian Garden

This is the perfect place to rest your feet and relax after a long day. Situated in Kowloon, this expansive garden is a public park with well-manicured trees, peaceful pathways, gurgling springs and lotus ponds as well as beautiful Chinese timber architecture.

After a long day of touring, there are several Hong Kong massage centers that can be accessed easily from several places in this city. You can get a pure massage including a traditional massage for total relaxation.

Destinations, Europe

Born to be mild. Brits are happiest at a surprisingly average 20 degrees Celsius.

Leave a comment

Born to be mild. Brits are happiest at a surprisingly average 20 degrees Celsius.

Chilly winter weather can often have us day-dreaming about tropical heat but a new survey from Thomas Cook shows that we Brits actually feel happiest at a rather mild 20 degrees Celsius.

The survey simply asked, ‘at what temperature are you happiest?’ with a quarter of people opting for a fairly balmy 20 degrees mark. There were some other surprises in the results too. 7% of people are happiest at a sweat-inducing 35 degrees and 1% actually said they are happiest at a bracing 5 degrees – the average winter temperature according to Met Office data for 2016/17.

With a few months of winter weather still ahead of us in the UK, Thomas Cook has pulled together a handy list of destinations to help Brits plot out locations that mean they’re able to stay at their ‘happy heat’ all year round

  • January – Mexico, Los Angeles
  • February – Morocco, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria
  • March – Tunisia, Ayia Napa
  • April – Bodrum, Crete, Balearic Islands
  • May – Sunny Beach, Montreal, Paris
  • June – Amsterdam, Boston
  • July – Vancouver, Lapland, Dona Paula
  • August – Stockholm, Oregon
  • September – Croatia, Calgary
  • October – Cape Town, New York
  • November – Texas, Algarve, Sicily, Ibiza
  • December – San Antonio, Cyprus, Egypt

Where will you go to find your happiness heat? ☀

Australia

The Best Summer Holiday Spots in Australia

Leave a comment

Have you ever dreamed of an escape to the Land Down Under on a carefree vacation? It is a land renowned for its untamed nature, vibrant cities and easygoing attitude of welcoming citizens. However, be mindful of the fact that the Australian continent comes with steep prices in every respect, and be financially prepared before you embark for its shores.

Going to the far side of the world seems like the ultimate escapade and, if you know exactly what you want, you can turn this fantasy into reality. Therefore, without further ado, here are the ten best summer holiday spots in Australia for your consideration.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

If you ever thought about visiting Australia, why not start off with the continent’s capital? With its expansive and meticulously planned cityscape, Canberra is bound to be one of the quaintest yet most breathtaking urban areas you have ever visited.

You really have to spend some time on its streets to truly appreciate the lengths to which urban planning and design has gone to create an aesthetically pleasing modern metropolis that harkens back to classical Greek architecture.

As far as the summer activities go, it boasts an enormous artificial lake smack in the middle of the city, known as Lake Burley Griffin. The lake area is brimming with aquatic activities but, if you wish to take a dip in the salty waters, you are just a few hours away from the prime-time beach areas. Also, if you are in the mood for a daily excursion to Melbourne or Sydney, they are both five to six hours away.

Torquay, Victoria

Also known as Victoria’s surf capital, Torquay is a seaside resort which is immensely popular with people of all generations. Located just outside of Port Phillip Bay which conceals the skyscrapers of Melbourne, it is renowned for its azure beaches with relentless waves that lure brave surfers in from all corners of the world.

However, Bells Beach is not everything this location has to offer. There is also the world’s biggest surf museum, Surf World, the Surf Coastal Walk that spreads for 44 kilometers and connects Torquay with Anglesea, as well as many more summer related activities, restaurants, resorts and interesting places to stay.

Byron Bay, New South Wales

Byron Bay is a gem of a beachside town, hidden somewhere on the coastline between Brisbane and Sydney. With its attractive stretch of beaches, Byron Bay offers a picturesque and lavishing experience for every summer-loving enthusiast.

White sand bay is very popular for surfing, as most beachside hotspots in Australia. You can enjoy whale watching, snorkelling, hiking to Byron Bay Lighthouse, and even skydiving. Treat yourself with a visit to a relaxing spa in Byron Bay accommodation and a stay in the comfiest establishments around. This is an amazing locale for those who just need to get away from the smouldering city.

Great Barrier Reef

Have you ever imagined a tropical paradise that is a perfect place for dreamlike underwater excursions? The Great Barrier Reef is one of the top destinations for scuba divers and underwater explorers in the world. It boasts the largest barrier reef system in existence, with more than 2,900 coral reefs that build into impossible beautiful islands lagoons. It is located in the appropriately named Coral See, right off the coast of Queensland.

Tasmania

We will not concentrate on any particular location in Tasmania, and rather treat the biggest Australian island as a spot of its own. Right off the south-west corner of the grand continent, there is a sizeable chunk of land that looks as if it was chipped away from its “big sister” Australia. Tasmania remains one of the best preserved wild islands in the world, with an amazing ecosystem that is only rivalled by its beautiful vistas.

Sydney, New South Wales

Of course, we cannot talk about holiday summer spots in Australia without mentioning its biggest and most popular (not to mention – most iconic) city – Sydney. Sydney is a perfect city for those of you who enjoy the hectic urban rhythm, diverse cityscape and streets filled with verve. Take a tour of some of the most legendary tourist spots in the world – Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Tower Eye, Bondi Beach, etc.

There is something alluring about the possibility to whisk your friends and family away for a sunny adventure on the precipice of the world. With white sands between your toes and azure waves crashing against your ankles on a vast beach that seems to be going on forever, you will feel you are only one step away from the primordial spirit within each of us, and yet you will never be too far away from a classy restaurant or a luxurious hotel room with a picturesque view.

Summer in Australia, at the very edge of the Pacific, is much more than a season-bound vacation. It is an experience of a lifetime.

Destinations, Food, North America, Street Food Guide

The Food Lover’s Ultimate NYC Adventure

Leave a comment

A vacation in the greatest city on Earth would be a dream come true for many. As the holiday season approaches, a chance to visit New York City becomes a treasure trove of possibilities. The sheer abundance of events, activities and sights is too overwhelming to cover in a single go, but at least, you can stimulate your taste buds with some of the most delicious and varied meals in the world. If you want to save some time and go straight for the hippest and most satisfying gourmet experiences, here’s the food lover’s ultimate NYC adventure.

Of course, the restaurants

food

Let us start off with the biggest bite of all – the choice of restaurants. The food map of New York City is a colorful palette of cuisines and cultures. If you are craving for a healthy and solid Mediterranean meal, Fig & Olive offers a whole array of dishes from Italy, Spain and France.

If you want to feel as if you are shacked up in the middle of the Alps, Baita by Birreria is a place for you. The place looks like a cozy canteen for visitors who like to pop in for a wine, warm up with salty pork and veal sausages.

A variety of exquisite meals can be a blast, but if you end up craving good ol’ sandwich bites, LaGuardia Place has brought the art of sandwich to a whole new level.

If you are in the mood for a tasty trip to Asia, Raku on East 6th Street is a place that has the most delicious udon in town, and ramen at Mr. Taka is conveniently filling on a cold December evening. Finally, if you want a solid meal that will keep you full for the most part of the day, stop by Insa on 328 Douglas Street for a delicious, juicy Korean barbecue (and a karaoke sing-off maybe).

Let’s talk about catering

Of course, New York City is nothing without the options to tweak the dining experience to your own idea of comfort. If you are renting a fabulous apartment and you feel particularly lazy that night, why not bring all the wine and dine glamour to your four walls?

With the endless number of top-notch NYC catering options that will leave you spoiled, the professional caterer will do all the work and it is up to you to deal with the rest. There are no boring queues and lengthy lines to ruin your appetite.

Most of these catering options come with modifiable course lineups that can be staggeringly rich – from cold chops and cocktail picks to warm bites, and wholesome family meals. It goes without saying you can limit yourself to fish, vegetarian or vegan banquets if you want.

The marketplace adventures

If you are spending a short time in New York City, why not feel like a true New Yorker? First of all, you need to stroll down the streets in search for the food market. Thankfully, New York has numerous food markets that are perfectly equipped with every delicious fruit and vegetable under the sun.

Most of them are in Manhattan, where you can literally stumble onto an amazing organic market after five or ten minutes of strolling about. However, you can find a few stray markets in Queens – New World Mall Food Court and Queens Crossing – as well as in Brooklyn – renowned Gotham Market at The Ashland, Berg’n and Industry City near the Upper Bay.

With all the necessary groceries in the bags, you can finally go to your temporary home and whip out pots and spatulas to begin your own private cooking session.

Take a chance on a food truck

Life in New York City can be quite hectic. So, it is probably safe to guess that your short stay will be just as speedy and filled with various activities. People tend to start taking it all in only after they have returned home. If you are a type of person who likes to move around and save time on all activities except sightseeing, taking a chance on one of New York’s iconic food trucks is a must.

Even if you are a person who enjoys low brow cuisine, you have to eat out at least once – otherwise, it is as if you haven’t been in New York. Eddie’s Pizza Truck will satisfy you enough and leave room for a thirst-quenching jug of beer or a cocktail. Tacos Morelos will offer you amazing midnight snacks, and a nice pita wrapped around juicy meat from Souvlaki GR will keep you buzzed throughout the evening.

Of course, these suggestions are not doing justice to all of the amazing restaurants and chow spots in New York City. If you are in the mood for an adventure, you can go out with your friends or family on an unpredictable gourmet journey throughout the night. You are bound to come across interesting places to eat around every corner. What’s life without some culinary risk?

Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Cultural and Historical Heritage, Destinations, Entertainment, Europe, North America, South America

Halloween Around The World

Leave a comment

Halloween Around The World

Marriage proposals in Italy, baking bread in the shape of babies in Ecuador, and burning expensive possessions to appease the souls of the dead in China. Across the globe there some strange but wonderful ways locals celebrate their own versions of Halloween. Thomas Cook has collated 50 of the outlandish laws, traditions and locations to create a Halloween map of the world full of need to know trivia you never knew existed.

Here are a few highlights from around the globe:

Halloween Haters

  • In Dublin, Georgia, USA your face must be fully visible and recognisable by law on Halloween
  • Vendragues, France it is illegal to wear clown costumes or makeup on this event if you are more than 12 years old
  • The country of Jordan made Halloween in its entirety illegal in 2014

Most haunted destinations

  • Multiple UFO, ghosts, orbs sightings and the abduction and reappearance a decade later of a young girl at Barranco de Badajoz in Spain make this the place to visit for believers in life beyond earth.
  • Visit the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, to become one of many who have spotted a Pharaoh wearing his golden collar, headdress, and riding a fiery chariot with black phantom horse.

Ghostly Traditions

  • The Romanian ‘Feast of St. Andrew’ involves eating garlic the night before and placing it near doors, windows and chimneys to ward off evil spirits.
  • In Germany, locals look to protect the visiting spirits drawn out during ‘All Souls Week’, by hiding all their knives so they won’t be injured.
  • Hati locals celebrate ‘Fed Gede’ alongside the visiting spirits, eating, drinking, warming their bones by the fire and dancing with them.

halloween

You can Map out all the countries and their traditions here: https://www.thomascook.com/halloween-around-the-world 

Africa, Asia, Editor's Picks, Europe, Luxury Travel, North America, Travel Planning

The Best Travel Destinations for 2018

Leave a comment

The Best Travel Destinations for 2018

Len Rutledge

The travel and tourism industry is booming as more and more people take advantage of low airfares and increased opportunities to see new places. While there has been some resistance to increased visitor numbers in some European destinations, much of the world is still welcoming visitors with open arms.

Here are some suggestions for places to travel and activities to experience in 2018.

The Philippines

Brilliant green rice fields, teeming cities, colourful jeepneys, stunning beaches, and smiling, happy-go-lucky people are all part of the Philippines scene. With more than 7000 tropical islands to choose from, you can find what you are looking for. Divers have long known about the country’s underwater attractions while Northern Palawan is perfect for sea kayakers, and Boracay is a world-class kiteboarding and beach destination.

The Philippines was colonised for 400 years and vestiges of the Spanish era can be seen in exuberant town festivals and centuries-old stone churches while huge shopping malls, fast-food chains and widespread spoken English come from the influence of the Americans.

travel

Boracay Beach. Credit: Philippines Tourism

Manila, the capital, is a pulsating hub that blends the quaint with the modern, the mundane with the extraordinary. Cebu is a choice tourist destination with balmy weather, pristine beaches, crystalline waters, and luxurious resorts. Banaue is a place for nature adventures and cultural immersion and the rice terraces are quite extraordinary. Palawan has thick green forest, white-sand beach, sparkling water and magnificently sculpted jade islands.

Philippines Airlines operates from most continents to Manila and there are some direct services to Cebu.

South Africa

Go almost anywhere in South Africa and you can experience a combination of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and style. During these tough economic times, it’s good to find a bargain destination where you can even afford luxury and have spending money left over. There is natural beauty in mountains, forests, coasts and deserts and world-class facilities.

It is not possible to talk about South Africa without mentioning wildlife. Everyone wants to see the Big Five, but there are also whales, penguins, meerkats, wild dogs, birds and much more. If you are looking to experience wildlife viewing in luxury, Tintswalo Safari Lodge, in the pristine private Manyeleti Game Reserve could be the answer. It shares an unfenced boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park and suites are decorated to reflect colonial times.

Tintswalo Atlantic Resort. Credit: Tintswalo Atlantic

The same company has beach-side Tintswalo Atlantic, a 5 star, award-winning boutique lodge nestled at the base of Table Mountain National Park near Cape Town. This is one of the city’s hidden gems. The views of a wild sea crashing below contrasting with a roaring fire and fabulous welcome drinks will set the tone for a memorable stay.

For a city location, the all-suites Michelangelo Towers in Sandton, Johannesburg appeals because it is directly connected to the Michelangelo Towers Mall and the Sandton Convention Centre, and is located directly opposite Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square in the in heart of South Africa’s  Richest Square Mile.

Monaco

Situated at France’s southeastern corner near the Italian border, occupying an area of just 2.8 sq. km, Monaco might be the second smallest country in the world (after the Vatican), but what it lacks in size it sure makes up for in attitude and variety.

There is an ornate opera house, Michelin-starred restaurants, and casinos, palaces, cathedrals, supercars, mega yachts, deluxe hotels and designer boutiques. There are also museums and galleries, festivals, nightclubs, and gardens with exotic plants and sea views.

Monaco. Credit: Monaco Government Tourist Bureau

The country is one of the most surprising and rewarding destinations in Europe. It is just 30 minutes by car, bus or taxi from Nice Airport through hairpin bends and along rocky cliffs. Monaco enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and a temperate climate.

Berlin

As most readers will know, Berlin has had a chequered history in recent decades. It is now emerging as one of Europe’s leading centres of culture. The modern Mitte district has the Museum Island UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also two opera houses and six major theatres, as well as museums, innumerable galleries and arts venues. Now, many new major cultural projects are locating here, just a few minutes’ walk apart.

Opened earlier this year, the new Pierre Boulez Saal is a major international concert hall with the elliptically-shaped hall regularly presenting concerts and chamber music. A complete contrast is provided by the 1740s Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin’s first opera house, which reopened in October 2017. Unfortunately, Berlin’s most popular museum, the Pergamon, is partially closed but from mid- 2018, visitors can view part of the Pergamon Altar’s treasures at a temporary exhibition building directly opposite Museum Island.

The James-Simon-Galerie will be the Museum Island’s new central entrance and visitor centre with central ticket office, cloakrooms and facilities, cafés and a museum shop when it opens in 2019.

Berlin-Ansichten. Credit: Visit Berlin

To complement all this development, several major hotels have opened in 2017 and more are scheduled for 2018.

The Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz, opened in May offering 344 rooms with a modern design over nine floors. Later, The Yard,  4-star boutique hotel with 55 rooms opened, followed by the Orani Berlin, a classy hotel with 42 subtle but rather luxuriously furnished rooms. Between now and year’s end the 60-metre-high Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz with 708 rooms, The Meininger Hotel Berlin East Side Gallery with 245 rooms and the Hilton Berlin City East with 254 rooms will all open.

Bargain rooms may well be on offer during the European winter.

Los Angeles

Many readers will have been to Los Angeles, USA but most will not be aware of the wide range of museums, art galleries and concert halls that are spread throughout the city. In the downtown area, the futuristic Walt Disney Theatre is an architectural masterpiece and is right next door to the city’s newest cultural and design showpiece, The Broad. L.A.Live is another vibrant entertainment complex offering restaurants and live music venues.

Walt Disney Theatre. Credit: Discover LA. Photo by Matt Marriott

The Westside perhaps has even more attractions. There is the Getty Center located atop the Santa Monica Mountains then on Museum Row, there is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Pettersen Automotive Museum, the Craft and Folk Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. In Century City you will find the Annenberg Space for Photography.

Hollywood, known as the entertainment capital of the world, is an essential part of the L.A. experience. Film enthusiasts will love the renovated TCL Chinese Theatre and you can tour the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars. Not far away is Universal Studios Hollywood with its rides, shows and tours.

If you consider L.A. nothing more than a gateway to the USA, you had better re-think. It is one of the top picks for places to visit in 2018.

The Best Travel Destinations for 2018www.LenRutledge.com

www.LenRutledge.com

North America, Travel Tips

5 Must Do’s in Napa Valley, California

1 Comment

A lot of world trotting travellers tend to be content with picturesque surroundings without delving deeper. It is a matter of style over substance, but Napa Valley is a place for connoisseurs of quality. It is completely understandable if a question crosses your mind – but why Napa? Is it not one of those over-puffed regions everyone recommends, kind of like Toscana or Provence? Well, just like the two marvellous European landscapes mentioned along with it, it is worth the hype. These are the 5 must do things in Napa Valley, California:

Visit St. Helena

A visit to Napa Valley is incomplete without a visit to St. Helena. With a population of nearly 6,000, it does not seem like much of a town on paper, but it is so much more than that. The area is brimming with a variety of interesting activities every newcomer should experience. Visit the CIA campus which was established in 1968 – that is the Culinary Institute of America, if you were confused for a bit.

This locale produced many virtuoso chefs in the area. Also, if you are particularly hungry, you can get a burger at Gott’s Roadside Diner, a bona fide original which opened here in 1999. The town homes numerous wineries and three Michelin-star restaurants, so take your time to have the exact day in St. Helena that suits your sensibilities.

Castello di Amorosa

If you ever set foot in Napa Valley, you simply have to visit Castello di Amorosa. At first, you will not believe your eyes – it is an incredible castle transported straight out of medieval Italy onto the Californian meadow. However, this is far from a reverie and there is actually an interesting story behind it. It first opened to the public in April of 2007, and it is the pet project of Dario Sattui, the 4th generation of wine merchants.

Sattui actually inherited a winery from his grandfather who immigrated to California in 1886, and earned enough to have means to realize such a daunting project. The castle spreads on 171 acres and it has eight level, 197 rooms, a drawbridge and a moat. This was all built out of 8,000 tons of chiselled stone. What’s best of all – you can visit two levels of the castle for a general admission ticket and enjoy 5 wine tastings.

Enjoy some quality art

Napa Valley does not only aim to please your senses, it also wants to delight your mind. If you are in the mood for a refreshing tour of exquisite art pieces, the region does not fall short. Numerous exceptional art galleries, studios, museums and outdoor exhibitions dot the landscape and most of them are fitting for people of all generations, even toddlers in strollers.

If you have a chance, you must visit diRosa art gallery – a 217-acre home to more than 2,000 pieces of contemporary art.  The variety of artwork is staggering and you will have an opportunity to enjoy the pieces both indoors and outdoors, in a variety of media. More than 800 artists are responsible for this vast collection, so it is an opportunity you should not miss if you are in the region. Additionally, if you want to have a unique and pleasant experience which is as charming as it is casual, visit Jessel Gallery. Trust us, you will feel as if you are an honoured guest at a reception.

A wine tasting adventure

wine tasting

Of course, what is a Napa adventure without savouring that sweet nectar of Californian hills, the same drink that has been passed onto us, through tradition, from ancient Greeks and through historical whirlwind and turmoil as an answer to all anguish – wine. Coupled with amazing scenery, this wine tasting adventure can turn into a cherished memory you will gladly return to in times of stress.

Believe it or not, there are more than 400 wineries in the region, so it can turn into an unruly excursion if you and your friends are not careful. If you don’t know where to start, after a short consultation with a reliable DMC in California, you’ll be able to get all the information you need and visit some of the best wineries in the area. If you get around it, visit Crystal Cellar, Raymond Vineyard or Robert Mondavi Winery. You will not regret it even if it is out of your way.

Explore the great outdoors

Would you define yourself as an indoor person? If so, Napa Valley is as good a region as any to turn you around completely. Known for its natural beauties and gentle wavy landscapes, Napa Valley has more than 50,000 acres of pure unadulterated nature that include hills, mountains, fields and meadows. All this space if yours to trek, hike, run, bike and explore to your heart’s content. If you truly need a recommendation when it comes to outdoor activities in Napa Valley, be sure to explore Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges.

Some regions are gifts that keep on giving. One of those locations lies at the far end of the world, bathed by the gentle orange sun on the very edge of Pacific. Once you embark on an easy-going trip across the breezy slopes of Napa Valley, you will feel fulfilled by such a gentle surge of joie de vivre, you’ll ask yourself why haven’t you come here sooner? If you ever get a chance to return once more, do not miss it. The wide roads of Napa Valley are welcoming to all visitors, all the time, and if you are an old acquaintance, she is bound to introduce you to more intriguing secrets.