Holiday & Travel

Airbnb has taken centre stage of the travel industry with its recent launch of shiny, Netflix-like, local experiences. While great, these trips typically only give guests a short period of time (one day, two evenings, three partial days, etc.) with the local host. This leaves guests with a wonderful, but limited, taste of the local culture. While a short dose of local culture might be enough for some, those wanting a deeper immersion should look to a learning holiday provider for their cultural experience.

The Eden Project has been granted planning permission for a new 109-bedroom on-site hotel. The £8.5 million hotel has been designed to blend into the countryside and have high standards of accessibility, energy-efficiency and sustainability. Its striking, unconventional design features prominent timber poles, cladding the outside of its two blocks. Eden plans to start construction in late 2017 and open the hotel in April 2018. It is estimated that 35-40 new jobs will be created for the hotel.

Official figures released by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation show that the largest of the Canary Islands welcomed a total of 2,049,093 visitors from the UK last year – a 16.1% upsurge compared to 2015 – and the highest number ever recorded. The UK market retains its prevailing position as the largest source market to Tenerife, accounting for 36.6% of all visitors to the island.

Portugal has committed to partnering with the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. The commitment was presented to UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, during his recent official visit to Portugal. Among the initiatives to celebrate the Year, Portugal is promoting the rehabilitation of historical buildings in the interior of the country and routes through natural areas.

As the cold days persist, outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com has revealed the most 'hygge' holiday sites in Europe. Pronounced "hoo-gah", the Danish lifestyle concept is all about finding happiness and comfort in life's simple pleasures and making you feel calm, relaxed and cosy. A perfect remedy to the UK's long and frequent cold spells, the art of hygge has been sweeping the nation. Think cosy fires, cuddly blankets, the glow of candles and hearty food.

The U.S. Virgin Islands' popular Centennial promotion is now available through tour operators in the United States. The USVI Department of Tourism is offering travelers to the Territory $300 in spending credits for historical/cultural tours and activities, redeemable at a number of  across the Territory. The promotion, which began as a small consumer-based initiative, has generated so much international coverage that the Department has decided to expand the offer to wholesale partners and tour operators.

Celebrating the world's most outstanding hotels and venues in the romance travel space, the inaugural Love Travel Awards took place at Westin Europa and Regina in Venice as part of the first Amour travel trade show, dedicated exclusively to romance travel. Witnessed by over 230 industry professionals during a lavish, black-tie ceremony, twenty hotels, resorts and hotel brands received a 2017 Love Travel Award in a variety of categories.

The beauty of Pooja Kanda lies on how it makes one feel blissfully wrapped in a Dutch-colonial style villa, surrounded by tranquillity and privacy. The majestic and spacious five-bedroom villa stands proudly on a lush hillside just inland from Sri Lanka's stunning southern coast. Villa Pooja Kanda's Dutch colonial style blends the old with the new beautifully. White pillars border the verandas furnished with rattan loungers which spill seamlessly onto the emerald lawn.

Set on the picture-perfect island of Dhidhoofinolhu, LUX* South Ari Atoll has recently been entirely reimagined to create a chic and relaxed atmosphere, making it one of the biggest refurbishments the Maldives has ever seen. Dotted at the water's edge along two miles of powder-fine beach and perched on stilts above a crystal-clear, reside the resort's new 46 Romantic Water Villas, each with private infinity pools.

There's nothing like the feeling of being given exclusive access to give a holiday that extra appeal. Recognising the interest in private gardens and the hidden gems that lie within their walls, RHS Garden Holidays have opened the gates to a number of select properties that wouldn't normally be open to the public.  Bringing a new dimension to their itineraries, RHS Garden Holiday clients can now enjoy exclusive access to a number of private gardens, ranging smaller cottage plots to large expansive estates, in the knowledge that they'll be one of the very few to get through the door. 

Catering to the most discerning of travellers, luxury Maldivian resort OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, has opened the doors to a 430sqm 'Over-Water Suite', which includes an exclusive overwater bar, serviced 24 hours a day! Positioned at the tip of the pier - and just a stone's throw from the resort's underwater restaurant M6m - the OZEN Water Suite offers panoramic views of the expansive turquoise lagoon all-around and can comfortably accommodate 8 people (4 adults + 4 children, or 6 adults + 2 children + maid/nanny).

The fridges are being stocked with champagne in the Turquoise Holidays' travel shops in Battersea and Beaconsfield as the countdown to the bridal travel event of the year begins. The 2017 Turquoise Holidays Honeymoon Sale prepares to go live on Monday 13 February and with savings and a heap of added value gifts there is no better time to book a honeymoon – but there's just two weeks in which to do it and only one company with which to book.

Comprised of 33 islands, Bahrain is the understated pearl of the Arabian Gulf wrapped within striking desert dunes and clear turquoise waters, awash with vibrant traditional souks rich in colour and ancient heritage.  A destination with so much to offer, guests can enjoy a desert barbeque, discover secrets of the Dilmun era at The Digs at Saar, lose themselves in the meandering lanes of the Gold Souk or dine at the famous King Fahad Causeway, linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

With spring just around the corner, the almond trees that surround Castell Son Claret in Mallorca are about to burst into life and transform the countryside beyond this luxury retreat and former castle, flooding the senses with the scent of blossom and the sight of acres of white flowers. To celebrate this beautiful time of year, the 38-room hotel is offering special packages valid for stays from when the hotel reopens for the season on 6th February 2017 through to the end of March 2017, including an Almond Blossom package and a 3-for2 offer.

A U.S road trip with a loved one is the perfect romantic adventure this Valentine's Day. Driving along some of the world's most spectacular coastlines, lazy days on sun-kissed beaches, nights snuggled up in cosy cabins in the heart of awe-inspiring forests and enjoying a taste of old-world Americana, will make for a truly unique, romantic break. Explore the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado and head to the town of Loveland which plays host to the nation's biggest Valentine's festival.