Holiday & Travel

Beautiful at any time of year, Mainau Island is one of the most popular destinations on Lake Constance. Known as the Flower Island, its 110 acres offer new experiences and surprises at every turn. Away from the hectic routine of daily life, visitors can slow down and enjoy the ever-changing floral displays and admire the majesty of the Arboretum, with its 150-year-old giant sequoias. Each season brings new delights: thousands of tulips give way to hundreds of rhododendrons, followed by scented roses, perennials and colourful dahlias. Lending a Mediterranean flair to the island in summer are the palms and citrus plants. Even more exotic is the tropical Butterfly House, a-flutter with 120 species of butterflies and moths, as well as the Palm House, with some 20 species of palms. Year-round, both provide a retreat on cooler or rainy days. The backdrop to all this? A handsome 18th-century Baroque palace and church, guarded by 50-ft-tall palm trees.

The Harbinger of Autumn

Mainau Island welcomes autumn with a dazzling annual display of 12,000 dahlias representing 270 varieties. In September, the lakeside garden overlooking shimmering Lake Constance is ablaze. But which dahlia is best? Pompom or ball? Cactus or decorative? Each year, visitors vote to see which will be crowned the Mainau Queen of Dahlias.

Robust, luxuriant and long-flowering, perennials are always a favourite. Mainau's herbaceous garden, sheltered by the vineyard walls, boasts 800 varieties and 16,000 plants. The sheer numbers guarantee inspiration in autumn and winter, let alone in spring and summer. Willows and beech hedges add structure; paths meander past lawns, benches and exuberant flowerbeds. Relax; linger; take stunning photos.

In autumn, spend time in the Arboretum, when leaves are changing colour. The heart of Mainau dates back 150 years. This was when Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden bought the island as a summer residence; he planted the first exotic trees here in 1864. Today, there are 250 tree and shrub species, from native deciduous and evergreens to exemplars from Asia, North Africa and America. Among the most impressive are the giant sequoias, tulip trees, Atlas and Lebanon cedars, plus a 145-year-old gingko tree, next to the church.

With minimal light pollution, big open skies and dazzling starry displays the Lake District National Park enjoys some of the best stargazing opportunities in the UK.

The logic is simple enough, the clearer and darker the night sky the better the opportunity for stargazing.

There are some great astronomical events taking place over the next few months timed perfectly for romantic or adventurous short breaks. Here at The Coppermines Lakes Cottages we have some great suggestions for stargazing holidays within the National Park, cosy cottages in idyllic locations far, far away from light pollution. Spend your days exploring the beauty of the local area and your nights admiring the heavens above. Holidays as a general rule of thumb give us the opportunity to simply switch off from the chaos of everyday life and simply relax. The good news is that stargazing is a leisurely activity which cannot be rushed. It can take up to 40 minutes for the human eye to adjust to the night sky so grab a comfy chair, blanket, hot flask and your favourite companions and settle in for the evening.

Great Walks of Australia, the collective brand that markets Australia as a key guided walking destination, is proud to announce the addition of a new walk for NSW, the Blue Mountains Grand Traverse by Auswalk. This brings the number of walks in the program to 12, with 10 of those showcased in the new Signature Collection.

Located in one of Australia's many unique and spectacular walking destinations, this walk is the 2nd in the collection for NSW, having recently adding the Seven Peaks Walk by Pinetrees on Lord Howe Island in April 2017. The Blue Mountains walk offers a fully supported opportunity to explore this important natural environment, only 90 minutes from Sydney, which features stunning cliffs, canyons rainforests and waterfalls. It is located in a UNESCO World Heritage listed area, as are the Great Walks products on Lord Howe and on Maria Island, Tasmania.

“This walk is an exciting addition to the collective given its proximity to Sydney, the important history of the area including walking tracks that are in some cases more than 100 years old, plus the demand we have from various international markets for a luxury guided walk in this area. It should be a popular addition,” said Gina Woodward, Executive Officer of the collection.

The Blue Mountains Grand Traverse is a new 3 day/2 night walking experience including transport to and from Sydney. It's a luxury version of Auswalk's already popular Blue Mountains Traverse walking holiday. Walkers are 'lodge based' at the elegant Echoes property and each day walk in areas that take in the key highlights of this spectacular region. This five star boutique hotel, with private rooms and ensuites, offers a pampered end to each hiking day with walkers enjoying fine dining and uninterrupted views of the majestic Jamison Valley. Walk days take in the Grand Canyon, Ruined Castle and Valley of the Waters, as well as famous viewpoints such as those of Govetts Leap, the Three Sisters, Wentworth and Katoomba Falls.

Auswalk owner, Brett Neagle, said "We're extremely excited about this walk as it's a natural evolution for Auswalk to work with Great Walks. We have been offering this walking holiday, and other superb walking itineraries across Australia for the past 20 years. Our expertise is now going to be shared across Great Walks of Australia and we look forward to welcoming guests on this personalised experience with our fully accredited expert guides.”

The new Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, Professor Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş, today announced his strategic vision of increasing travel and tourism as the engine for improving relationships between countries and cultures.

As Turkey's tourism begins to recover in 2017, Mr. Kurtulmuş has set a target of 50 million international visitors to Turkey by 2023. While that goal is expected to generate $50 billion in economic impact, Mr. Kurtulmuş said the most valuable result of increasing tourism is forming the foundation for a stronger global community through the better sharing of ideas and values between cultures.

“Few countries have as wide a variety of tourism and cultural attractions as Turkey, including – and, perhaps most importantly – it's figurative and physical position as a bridge between East and West that embraces visitors from across the globe,” Mr. Kurtulmuş said.

“We see this strength as vital to our vision for bringing communities together, and we will invest heavily in public and private partnerships to ensure we are developing these tourism products to diversify our markets and audiences.”

Turkey has already made progress towards its goals this year, with tourism to the country up 14.05 percent during the first 6 months of 2017, and up by 36.53 percent in June this year compared to June 2016.

Over the last 3 years the Ministry has seen the potential of social and digital media channels and has been working on social and digital media marketing campaigns with the likes of Google, Facebook, Twitter and most recently Lonely Planet and Matador Network on a collaborative campaigns via the www.hometurkey.com. Turkey is now the second most popular destination on social media with just over 6 million followers globally.

“Turkey is one of the most diverse destinations in the world, with a richness of history, archeology, gastronomy and geography from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, combined with art and culture that spans the ages yet is at the forefront modern innovation,” Mr. Kurtulmuş said.

“I invite travelers from all over the world to discover the beauty of our country, whether the new UNESCO World Heritage site in Aphrodisias or its mesmerizing Turquoise coast. With so many varied characteristics, combined with Turkey's history of hospitality from millennia of civilizations making the land their home, we have the potential to enrich our global community through cultural diplomacy.”

Camellia Hills near Dickoya, a newly-built five-bedroom boutique hotel in Sri Lanka's emerald tea country, joins The Sri Lanka Collection from today. This high-end boutique hotel in Sri Lanka is managed by Teardrop Hotels, and is a sister property to award-winning hotels The Wallawwa and Fort Bazaar, and recently launched Kumu Beach.

Camellia Hills is located near Dickoya and Hatton, in the south western hill country. Spectacularly located high up on the side of a verdant valley overlooking Castlereagh Reservoir, and surrounded by emerald green tea estates, the hotel's ample gardens, living and dining areas and five individually designed guest rooms all share in stunning panoramas. This is a contemporary interpretation of a tea bungalow-style hotel, offering high-end personalised butler service, exceptional food and all-inclusive rates (includes three meals, snacks, high tea and drinks).

“We are delighted that Teardrop's new tea country hotel Camellia Hills is joining The Sri Lanka Collection and we very much look forward to introducing our tour operator partners to this outstanding new boutique property over the coming months,” commented Eleanor Milner, Director of The Sri Lanka Collection.

Guests can take their pick from a number of experiences at the hotel including picturesque guided tea estate walks, village and tea factory visits and nature trails. Leopards live in the surroundings and guests could visit a leopard research station to learn more about these elusive cats and see the photographs generated by their camera traps.

Tenerife has been chosen to host the launch of the 2018 edition of the respected 'Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal'. The coveted ceremony will take place on Wednesday 22nd November at the The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, home to two of the island's Michelin-starred restaurants. The celebration of this prestigious event in Tenerife reinforces the island's growing reputation as a paradise for fine food lovers.

Guests attending the launch event will have the chance to try the delicacies of four of Tenerife's Michelin-starred restaurants: El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Canarian cuisine with a twist), Abama Kabuki (Japanese influences with modern western techniques), Kazan (nikkei cuisine) and M.B. (Spanish cuisine from master Martín Berasategui). Michelin-starred Chef Erlantz Gorostiza – M.B.'s head chef and the 'designer' of the menu of Tenerife's Sunset and Stars experience – will be the chef in charge of the culinary event.

Mr. Carlos Alonso, President of the Tenerife Island Government, said after the announcement: “We have no words to describe how excited we are to host the launch event of the 2018 Michelin Guide. This is the result of years of hard work to place our gastronomy firmly on the map as a great foodie destination in Europe. Tenerife boasts delicious produce, amazing wines and great chefs.”

Tenerife, the only Canary Island with Michelin-starred restaurants, offers an authentic cuisine blessed with an array of intoxicating flavours, made possible by the island's year-round spring climate and fertile land. Local products and ingredients including fish, bananas, potatoes, cheese and honey are used with traditional cooking methods to create innovative culinary creations to delight locals and visitors alike. Not to mention the island's characterful wines, whose singularity lies in the barren volcanic soils on which the vines grow.

Situated on Canada's Northwest Corner, next to Alaska, 80% of the Yukon is pure North American wilderness, with 5,000-metre peaks, forested valleys, unspoiled waters and untamed wildlife. The Yukon is home to more than 160,000 caribou, 70,000 moose, 22,000 mountain sheep, 6,000 grizzly bears, 220 species of birds and only 36,000 humans.

With national and territorial parks in abundance, including the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kluane National Park, four Canadian Heritage Rivers, and 3,000 miles of road, some of Canada's most remote areas become accessible to visitors in the Yukon.

The vastness and diversity of the province means that the accommodation options are pretty special too. Adventurers can stay in places they had only imagined in their wildest dreams, from lakeside inns, wilderness retreats and lodges, rustic cabins and uniquely situated bed & breakfasts.

The Seychelles archipelago remains an idyllic destination attracting travelers from across the globe whether they are in search of budget-friendly or celebrity extravagant holidays.

The islands’ lush tropical vegetation, spectacular powder-white beaches and clear turquoise ocean provide the perfect backdrop for vacationers to take enviable snaps.

Well-known personalities are among those constantly choosing the destination for their picture-perfect getaways, including to spend their honeymoon.

While it is very uncommon to find paparazzi snapping the holiday experiences of these personalities in Seychelles, most of them are quite happy to keep their followers updated by posting photos of their precious moments on social media platforms.

American singer, dancer and actress Julianne Hough is one of the latest personalities who has chosen to spend the earliest days of married life in the Seychelles.

The UK news site, MailOnline, is among several international media that have reported on the gorgeous snaps of Hough and husband enjoying their honeymoon in the island nation.

Julianne Hough tied the knot with Canadian ice hockey player Brooks Laich’s on July 8. Their trip to Seychelles was in fact for a double celebration, as on top of honeymooning on some of the islands, Hough also celebrated a tropical 29th birthday on July 22.

“To be able to celebrate my birthday in the honeymoon bubble of love has been incredible…,” was part of the message Hough wrote on Instagram, as she posted a photo of herself holding a bottle of bubbly.

According to IMDb.com, Julianne Hough started her career as a dancer on the ABC game show ‘Show Me the Money’ in 2006. She also became known as a cast of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ — a U.S. reality show aired on the American television network ABC, where celebrities partner up with professional dancers and compete against each other in weekly elimination rounds to determine a winner.

Hough who is a two-time professional champion of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, is also known as an actress. Her first acting role was in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at the age of 13 in 2001, while her first lead role was in the remake of Footloose in 2011.

Former Miss World Rosanna Davison is another personality in love with the Seychelles’ romantic spots.

Irish celebrity news site Independent.ie reported that the Irish model-turned-nutritionist and former Miss World 2003 and businessman husband Wesley Quirke enjoyed a ‘second honeymoon’ in the Seychelles earlier this month.

Davison, 33, kept her 143 thousand followers on Instagram updated of her holiday moments in the island nation, posting snaps of their quality time enjoying the powder-white beaches, clear turquoise waters, lunch with a view and magical sunsets of the Seychelles.

It seems that the couple have fallen madly in love with the beauty of the destination as it’s surely not their first time holidaying in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

They escaped on honeymoon to the Seychelles after their wedding in 2014, and were again reported to be holidaying in the tropical island after celebrating their first wedding anniversary in 2015.

Rosanna Davison is the daughter of famous musician Chris de Burgh – the composer of the iconic ‘Lady in Red’ ballad. Her husband Wesley Quirke is the son of an Irish multi-millionaire.

The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, and Airbnb have signed an agreement to help drive diversified and sustainable tourism to the islands and begin dialogue about a framework for taxation on accommodation. This is intended to assist hosts to be able to pay accommodation taxes through the platform and contribute with their local community and government, as has been the case in over 275 jurisdictions around the world. The platform has been consistently collaborating with several Governments in the Caribbean, as well as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), as the region acknowledges the growing importance of home sharing in the local economy and for residents to participate in the bounty of tourism.

“Today is an important step in further strengthening the tourism industry in Antigua and Barbuda by signing this partnership with Airbnb. The tourism and services industry is continually evolving, and Airbnb is the largest game changer in the accommodation sector. By working with them, we will ensure that Antigua and Barbuda is interacting with the full spectrum of visitors,” said the Honorable Asot A. Michael, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy at the signing.

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Director of Tourism, Canada, Colin Skerritt, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Walton Aubrey Webson, Minister Michael, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Director of Tourism, US, Kim Jack Riley, Mr. Sullivan, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, CEO, Colin James.

“We are proud to work with Antigua and Barbuda to assist in the creation of new economic opportunities for the local economy and offer genuine experiences for travelers. Our joint efforts will highlight the culture, heritage and hospitality of local residents,” said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb’s Public Policy lead for Central America and the Caribbean.

In Antigua and Barbuda, there are over 500 active listings listed on the Airbnb platform and a typical host has annual earnings of about USD $ 5,700. The number of guest arrivals to the islands in the last 12 months has grown by 53%, and groups tend to stay about six nights.

2017 is a big year for Samoa. Not only does it mark the 55th anniversary of its independence, it also celebrates the International Year of Sustainable Tourism as designated by the United Nations.

As a small island state, Samoa's ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to environmental challenges brought on by climate change and natural disasters and it recognizes that sustainably managed tourism development plays a key role in addressing these threats through enhanced climate change adaptation and risk reduction, strengthened community resilience, and environmental conservation.

“Tourism is a key driver of social and economic development and sustainable tourism is at the core of what we do” said Sonja Hunter, CEO of the Samoa Tourism Authority. Hunter also highlighted that Samoa continues to be a regional leader in sustainable tourism and advocates for ongoing destination stewardship among tourism businesses and visitors. Further added Hunter, “Samoa was the first South Pacific destination to establish its sustainable tourism indicators and it was fitting that we were part collective efforts at the United Nations which ultimately lead to this year being designated the International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development”.

With an average temperature of 27 degrees, Samoa offers the ultimate and authentic South Pacific experience. From powder soft beaches to warm tropical seas and colourful coral reefs alive with marine life. The rugged, lush mountainous rainforest interiors reveal endless wildlife, waterfalls and lagoons. Samoa is a haven for those wanting a relaxing holiday or honeymoon complete with spas, pampering and secluded beaches. For the more adventurous, Samoa offers hiking trails, cycling routes, world class snorkelling and diving as well as some of the best surf locations in the South Pacific.

Governed by Fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way), the Samoan culture and way of life is over 3000 years old and follows complex cultural code. Fa'a Samoa is a guideline for every Samoan on how to lead their lives by celebrating and embracing traditional values, their culture and environment. It is an integral part of Samoan life, evident in the time-honoured traditions, warm hospitality, as well as the cultural practices and customs of the Samoan people.

Get a skinful of ale in a very different way with a visit to a newly opened beer spa on Iceland's north coast. The Bjórböðin Beerspa & Restaurant offers spa treatments in Kambala wood hot tubs filled with beer, water, hops and yeast – and each of the tubs comes with its own beer tap with ales provided by the associated Bruggsmiðjan microbrewery.

Hour-long soaking spa sessions are available for one or two people, with prices starting from 6,900 kroner (£50) for a single tub, 13,000 kroner (£93) for a double and 20,000 kroner (£143) for an outside hot tub offering views over Hrísey island, mountains and Þorvalds valley.

Bjórböðin can be visited as part of Magnetic North Travel's week-long Circular Self-Drive Iceland itinerary. Starting at Iceland's Keflavik International Airport outside Reykjavik, the trip includes visits to Gulfoss Waterfall, the black sand beaches of Vik, the eastern fjords, lava formations and Europe's largest national park, Vatnajokull.

Guests can also explore the highlights of the Lake Myvatn area, including the mystical volcanic formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Krafla volcanic area, before driving via Godafoss waterfall en route to Akureyri, the charming 'capital' of North Iceland. More adventurous travellers can swap the car for a 4X4 experience to the uninhabited interior of Iceland via the Kjolur highland track.

With the summer holidays at the forefront of everyone’s mind PLAYMOBIL have released some new sets that will keep little ones busy all summer long.

The new toys, now on the shelves of toy shops around the UK, provide youngsters with hours of new and exciting imaginative play.

For every child who has dreamed of becoming a princess, the new Princess Castle range provides the perfect space for children to let their imagination run free. Bring the Royal Couple to the castle in style with their horse drawn carriage, or throw a birthday party for friends with the Royal Birthday Party set. There is lots of fun to be had in the Royal Residence with a range of different sets for you to collect, from getting changed in the Dressing Room with Salon, enjoying a Masked Ball or looking after the baby in the Royal Nursery. There’s so much to do, and little ones will be kept entertained for days with this new range.

Budding teachers and eager students will fall in love with the new Limited Edition School sets. Teachers can take charge in the Schoolhouse, with a teacher and two children included in the set, plus a classroom board for marking and wiping. Get students to and from the classroom with the School Van, which comes including another two pupils and bus driver.

Adding to the already popular Fi?ures collection this month sees the twelfth set in the series with the arrival of 24 new figures. These are the perfect treat for youngsters about to embark on their summer holidays.

Jamie Dickinson, Marketing Manager from PLAYMOBIL, said: “Ensuring children are able to take part in free play, unrestricted and uninstructed, is extremely important to PLAYMOBIL. Our new ranges, sets and figures offer the chance for youngsters to really enjoy an escape to their own world, where they can create lands and characters going on their own adventure. And with the summer holidays on the horizon, there is no better time to let the kid’s imagination run free with these and all our PLAYMOBIL toys.”

These new PLAYMOBIL ranges can be purchased online or at toy stockists across the country now.

With the number of UK travellers looking to learn something new on holiday continuing to rise, Lisbon is the perfect place to combine a relaxing beach holiday or city break with a learning experience. With the guidance of local experts, visitors can decide whether they want to discover the secrets of Portuguese gastronomy, learn to horse ride or take to the waves in one of the world's top surfing destinations.

Here are some of the enlightening experiences on offer:

Traditional Portuguese Cooking

Visitors can explore Lisbon's rich gastronomic history with Portugal on a Plate's food and wine tours and culinary walks. Local cooking experts share their knowledge and passion for Portuguese ingredients and regional flavours, as well as revealing what shaped Portugal's food culture, and how Portuguese gastronomy has influenced the world. Guests will learn how to order in a traditional Lisbon restaurant and how shop to locally, including the chance to pick up some great ingredients to take home.    

For visitors wanting a real “hands on” cooking experience, the five-hour “Cooking with 6 Hands” tour is the perfect choice. Starting at the famous Mercado da Ribeira, guests will choose the catch of the day before moving on to work alongside innovative chefs Tiago Feio, David Eyguesier and Hugo Brito in their respective restaurant kitchens Leopold, Os Gazeteiros and Boi Cavalo.  Finally, guests will get the opportunity to taste the final meal and other delicacies that they have helped to prepare during this unique food experience.

Fado Performance Workshop

Haunting and poetic, fado is considered as one of the purest expressions of Lisbon's 'soul', and is believed to have originated from the sorrow felt by the sailors and their families who were separated by Portugal's explorations around the globe in the 19th century. The narrow streets of Alfama, the city's oldest district and most associated with this iconic song, is home to numerous “fado houses” as well as the Fado Museum, which is the best place to discover everything about this unique art form. Here, visitors can take part in a one-hour group workshop, which concludes with participants singing their own fados – no embarrassment allowed.

If they are confident enough, then visitors can then head to the Mouraria neighbourhood, next to Alfama, and try one of the houses offering “fado vadio” or 'amateur', where anybody can stand up and start singing!

Horse Riding

Set in a vast pinewood forest in Sintra, and certified by the Portuguese Equestrian Federation, “O Paddock” trains riders of all ages and skill levels, from international athletes to amateur riders. With a capacity for more than 100 students, the club also offers the opportunity to explore the region from a different point of view. Its location makes every ride calm and picturesque, as well as giving visitors the opportunity to visit some of Lisbon's most historical monuments, country estates, golden sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, whilst on horseback.

Surfing  

The Lisbon region offers some of the best surfing in the world, and visitors do not have to be experienced to enjoy the best that the destination has to offer. From Ericeira, Europe's first World Surfing Reserve, to the Costa da Caparica and the Estoril/Cascais coast, there are locations that are perfect for beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers.   Lisbon Surf Tours, Carcavelos Surf School and Guincho Adventours all offer multi-lingual tuition for all ages and skill levels.

The first ever “Tourism Career Fair” was held during Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) at the National Art Gallery on the 13th of July 2017. More than 2000 visitors attended the tourism career fair as a major component of TTM, organisers Maldives Getaways announced on Friday.

Ibrahim Areef, Director at Maldives Getaways commented that more than 75 resorts took part in the career fair and showcased available job opportunities throughout the country. The 45 booths setup at the venue were all packed during the mere three-hour fair. “Most of the visitors were young professionals and students, while plenty of internships were given out on the spot”, he added.

Maldives Getaways concluded all components of TTM successfully on Thursday, with business contracts worth over USD 1 billion being discussed during the two-day travel trade show.

Apart from hosting the first ever tourism career fair, TTM Gala Night was hosted at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi on the 13th of July 2017, where agents and exhibitors alike got to network and connect.

Genoa's Villa Durazzo Pallavicini has been given the 'Il Parco più Bello Award' for the 'Most Beautiful Public Park in Italy', topping the list of over 1,000 parks in Italy.

Located in the neighborhood of Pegli, around half an hour to the west of Genoa's city centre, Villa Durazzo Pallavicini is a beautiful 19th century park that was renovated by the Municipality of Genoa and reopened in autumn 2016.

Built by the set designer of Genoa's opera house, the Teatro Carlo Felice, the romantic-style park is split into four fairy tale inspired theatrical 'acts', which are further divided by 'scenes' that guests can walk through.

Villa Durazzo Pallavicini was built between 1840 and 1846 at the request of Italian nobleman Marquis Ignazio Alessandro Pallavicini and is an example of an Italian romantic-style garden. The park offers panoramic views from Portofino's mountain to Capo Noli and the four 'acts' of the eight-hectare garden takes guests past lakes, streams, waterfalls, rare plants and ancient structures.

Elisa Serafini, Culture and Territorial Marketing Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Genoa, said: “This award reminds us that Genoa is rich of hidden treasures in every neighbourhood, from east to west. It's a great honour that the Villa Durazzo Pallavicini has been recognised as the most beautiful park in Italy and we hope it will encourage more people to visit the park and the city of Genoa.”