Archive for December, 2009
not your average slideshow
A couple of weeks we gave you a written run down of our year in travel. And whilst we have a ‘whole lot-a love’ for the written word sometimes it’s good to have something a little extra to cast your peepers over right?
So, we’ve taken some time to look through the images we took on our travels in 2009 and pulled together a gallery of some favourites. As ever they’ve stirred some memories, and prompted a ‘my trip was better than yours’ battle at BT, so hopefully they’ll inspire you to get out there and put yourself in these pictures during 2010. See you on the other side.
click here to see our year in images
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Loading ...dreaming of an (action-packed) white christmas
Hurrah…. the festive season is beginning to kick in. With the tree twinkling away, the annual office booze fest of the Christmas party behind us (though a few hangovers still remain) and, as I sit writing this, snow falling from the sky, it’s finally beginning to look a look a lot like Christmas.
But while we’re all here dreaming of a white Christmas, we’re pretty sure the chances of the snow settling on the streets of Shoreditch are, errm, not all that likely. So, where to head to for some guaranteed snow covered festive fun? Well, last Christmas Matthew Rhys – star of hit TV series Brothers & Sisters – took a trip with us in search of the perfect, white Christmas. So where did he find it? Finland.
Take a look at the article Matthew has written for the latest edition of Elle magazine here. The perfect action-packed white Christmas, straight from horses’ mouth.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...2009, that was the year that was
With 2010 fast approaching what a year it’s been. We started 2009 with the mantra: ‘learn new things about the world and re-discover your joie de vivre’. So hey, that’s what we’ve done.
We checked out 2009’s ‘MUST SEE’ destinations, Syria and the Galapagos (to name a few) and lived out this years ‘MUST-DO’ experience by hiking the intrepid Black cat trail. Sally reported via video from the Sossusvlei, Carolyn got lost at the end of the Earth and Katie took a trip of Biblical proportions. And that’s not even mentioning the Ninjas we fought, the parajets we flew and the marathons we ran (ok, only Jim managed that one).
We’ve delved deeper than ever before and truly got under the skin of Mexico and Australia, sent journalists meandering down the Mekong Delta and took it back to the ‘old school’ with our offline newsletter ‘Cuttings’ – trust us, it’ll help brighten your commute.
Important lessons have been learnt: Tommy can survive without his BlackBerry, but only thanks to the beauty of Brazil’s beaches, and some places are just a little too good to give away – at least for the time being.
We’ve twittered and blogged our travel thoughts away, been lucky enough to win some coveted awards
and even found time to take on some detective work to uncover true gems to bring you some fresh ideas for 2010. (all to be revealed ealry January).
But most IMPORTANTLY, we sent so many of you guys off to some of the planet’s most jaw dropping places. And that, without a doubt, is what matters most. Will we be able to surpass this next year? Definitely.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...souk up marrakech with an expert
Heading into the souks of Marrakech can be intimidating. What if I get lost? How do I know when to haggle, or how much to barter for?
Well, on a recent delve into the winding bustling souks (just last month, in fact) Sally and I found the perfect solution: go with an expert guide.
busting souks
Jimal met us at the door of our riad (La Maison Arabe – a beautiful luxury boutique hotel definitely worth a stay), and walked us to the souks telling us interesting stories along the way. Dressed in traditional clothing and looking
wise, Jimal was the perfect host. Not only did we see everything we wanted to see (silver jewellery and leather bags, to be precise) but he told us which stalls to avoid, and also showed us more than a few hidden gems we would have never found by ourselves.Sally souk We met the wool-dyers who offered us various threads for silk or cotton scarves of our choice, we saw the leather shoe makers and watched a piece of raw animal leather be cut and nailed into a comfy Moroccan slipper, and heard the clink clink of the metalworkers. These guys spend all day tirelessly hammering intricate patterns into metal for stunning lamps, candle sticks and bottle-holders.
Sally even had a go at hammering the metal herself – a task only for those with steady hands.
Out of the souks, our expert guide took us to see a natural doctor selling herbs and spices for every ailment, wooden carvers, mosques, museums and minarets. With the call to prayer wailing from high towers around, and sounds, smells and sights of the souk, it was an incredibly atmospheric day. The beauty if it was that we didn’t feel obliged to buy anything (which probably made us buy more) and we came home educated and excited about our new treasures, if not a little dusty…
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...a luxury return to aus
Al here,
Just returned from Australia and I have to admit, I’d forgotten how much I love the country. I’ve been twice as a backpacker and have always wanted to visit again with a bit of money to do it properly. This time, with some friends from Tourism Australia and Emirates, I had an opportunity to see what the destination truly had to offer. And it didn’t disappoint.
For those of you that think Oz is a million miles away (10,562 miles to be exact), fret not, the flight goes very quickly when you’re on the new Emirates Airbus A380. Ok, so Business Class was a bit indulgent, but I thoroughly tested the flat beds and the bar out back; fully stocked with cocktails and snacks to keep you going throughout the flight.
Anyway, first day in Sydney was awesome; despite struggling with jet lag (I must be getting old) we took a guided tour around the harbour in a privately chartered yacht. This is a great way to see the sights of Sydney and later that day I was safely tucked up in bed at the Shangri La dreaming of how precisely I am going to fund a mansion on the waterfront.
The next day, we transferred to Wolgan Valley; a newly opened eco-lodge and spa in the majestic Blue Mountains. You wouldn’t believe the drive on the way in to the property (like something from Jurassic Park) — I was half expecting to see swarms of dinosaurs roaming the lush valley floor. The lodge is perfectly situated in the centre of the valley with some amazing features, private pools, wildlife viewing platforms, and an ambitiously restored 1832 Homestead. The highlight was the food and wine which really surpassed expectations; hats off to Dwayne (the resident chef) who excelled excellence in the variety of foods married with local wines. There truly aren’t enough superlatives.
After some R&R, aussie-style, we caught a helicopter transfer to the airport via Sydney (fantastic views of the harbour and nearby beaches) for a flight up to Hamilton Island. Staying at Qualia , an ultra luxury 5* resort, is a bit like having your own property on an island paradise. Some great features: views of the surrounding islands from your own plunge pool, possibly the largest bathroom and shower in existence and your own golf buggy (for navigating the island) made this an amazing luxury experience. I’d recommend a round of golf on one of the most demanding and achingly beautiful courses in the Southern Hemisphere, then dinner at the newly opened Yacht Club (designed by the celebrated Australian architect Walter Barda). The food is only surpassed by the design of this remarkable building, and the sunset views over the beautiful Whitsunday Islands.
When we transferred back to Sydney, I have to admit I had a small tear in my eye, so had to drown my sorrows at the Aquarium Bar at Coogee Beach’s Beach Palace Hotel the best place in Sydney for a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun. The flights back to London seemed to go by in the blink of an eye, so with Sydney fast disappearing in the distance I started dreaming my next trip to this awesome country: perhaps Western Australia?
I definitely know where I’ll be spending my next sabbatical from work.
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