Colors: Yellow Color
Colors: Yellow Color

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.

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.

Travelers to St. Croix are being offered $350 off companion airfare through the end of October this year.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism announced the CheapCaribbean.com offer today, which also includes $150 in spending credits per room to be used for activities, dining and shopping.
The "Twin City Nice" promotion, which is being funded equally by the tourism department and CheapCaribbean.com, aims to stimulate travel during the off-peak fall season and promote the unique vacation experiences offered on St. Croix.
"From August 3 to October 31, we look forward to welcoming more travelers to 'Twin City St. Croix'," said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands. "Visitors have a wide range of activities to experience, from an incredible culinary scene, to the Buck Island national underwater monument, to Christiansted and Frederiksted tours that reflect both towns' rich history and culture. This is a great time of year to enjoy St. Croix with a travel companion and create wonderful memories."
 Visitors must originate from the following U.S. cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.
Travel must be completed between August 3 and October 31, 2017. A combined air and hotel booking with a minimum four-night stay at a participating hotel is required. The booking window ends on August 31, 2017. Availability is limited.
Participating hotels include: Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino, Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Sand Castle on the Beach, Tamarind Reef Resort, The Buccaneer Hotel and The Palms at Pelican Cove.
VI Spending Credits will be provided upon check-in. Offer is not valid on pre-existing reservations and cannot be combined with any other promotion. One $350 discount for airfare and $150 in spending credits will be given per room. Other restrictions may apply. The "Twin City Nice" promotion must be booked via CheapCaribbean.com.

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.

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.

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.