Holiday & Travel

With the recent announcement of a new London Stansted to Toulouse route from Ryanair, the relatively undiscovered département of The Tarn, south-west France is being placed firmly on the UK tourist map. New flight routes are an indicator of increased visitor numbers to an area and the newly formed Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées region of south west France will soon be served by three airlines from three London airports.

Tamie Adaya, renowned art patron and owner of The Shangri-La, Hollywood's timeless iconic Art Deco hotel, is hosting a trilogy of star-studded cultural delights celebrating the best of British creativity. The American hotelier and entrepreneur is joining forces again with Nigel Lythgoe OBE and former British Consulate Bob Peirce, co-founders of BritWeek. The annual event, now in its tenth year, is a celebration of the creative fusion between the UK and the USA, focusing on film, music, arts and fashion.

For families, or small groups, chartering a luxury hotel barge can be an appealing alternative to renting a villa in Europe. Instead of being confined to a single location, hotel barge cruises offer memorable “floating” holidays as they travel through some of the most historic and culturally-rich regions of France, Italy and the British Isles.

The historical port city of Genoa is rich in culture and art. The city boasts a long and prestigious heritage and 2016 offers the perfect chance to learn more about this fascinating destination. Genoa, located in north west Italy in the region of Liguria, has new exhibitions and events to entice visitors in 2016 and with direct flights from British Airways, is perfect for a cultural weekend break.

Continuing with a commitment to expand their collective of premium guided walks throughout Australia, the Great Walks of Australia have announced the inclusion of the first walk in Western Australia (WA), the Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk by Walk into Luxury.

From unforgettable safaris to romantic breaks in the Moroccan mountains, Virgin Limited Edition - Sir Richard Branson's award-winning collection of stunning hotels and retreats offer the ultimate African escapes.  Capturing magical moments at Mahali Mzuri, Sir Richard Branson's 12-tented luxury safari camp in the Kenyan Bush located in the Olare Motorogi Private Conservancy, you can witness some of the most diverse and fascinating wildlife Kenya has to offer.

This Spring enjoy the Pleasure Gardens at Blenheim Palace. The Pleasure Gardens have been especially designed for younger members of the family. Discover the Marlborough Maze, the world's second largest symbolic yew hedge maze and the Butterfly House which has over 200 butterflies inside. The Lavender Garden is specifically set out to enhance the native butterflies and you can spot plenty of nectar enriched plants which are grown in this area.

Much like the celebrities who sneak away to idyllic islands to escape the dramas of the real world, many newlyweds dream of that perfect honeymoon together, to celebrate their marriage in the height of luxury and without the pre-wedding stress. The Maldives is famous for hosting many celebrities, despite a number of resorts being firm favourites amongst the stars of stage and screen, the Maldives' superior hospitality extends to all those who wish to holiday in paradise.  

Set directly on the beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this adults-only pristine getaway, The House, successfully met the Green Globe Standard requirements attaining a notable compliance score of 73%. The resort offers seclusion with cultural and historical destinations located nearby. Natural wonders including Harrison’s Cave also await visitors.

If you're thinking about going further afield later in the year and looking for something different, why not venture into the Brazilian wilderness to see incredible wildlife, in their natural environment. Brazil is home to some of the world's finest natural parks and unspoilt wilderness. With a land mass larger than the entirety of Europe, the country's landscape is expansive, diverse and greatly differs between the seasons.

From 25 March to 10 May 2016, the Channel Islands Heritage Festival will celebrate a group of small islands with a big history.  The six-week festival, in its second year, takes a maritime focus honouring the Islands' coastal significance and naval traditions with a full programme of exclusive openings, guided walks, family adventures and coastal tours. Many events and activities will be held at maritime heritage sites around Guernsey and the isles of Jersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.

Offering idyllic islands like Mauritius and the Seychelles, you'll also find the good value and easy to access Indian Ocean mainland coast of Tanzania and Kenya, as well as remote and exclusive destinations like the Bazuruto or Quirimbas Archipelegos in Mozambique or the quiet sands of Mnemba, Mafia and Pemba, all islands in Tanzania.  

As travellers become more adventurous with their holiday styles, Freedom Treks has noted a sharp rise in the number of first-time customers trying out short bike breaks. With nearly 30 short cycling tours to choose from, the cycling holiday specialist has found that many holidaymakers feel a 3 to 5 night break is the perfect introduction to the sport.

The Maltese Islands have once again claimed 3rd place in the category for “Best Diving Destination” at the Diver Awards Ceremony held recently at the International Dive Show in London. This prestigious award places Malta and Gozo as the most popular diving destination in all of the Mediterranean, as voted for by thousands of DIVER Magazine readers.

Admire front row views of the spectacular sky at altitude from the comfort of a warm bedroom with glass walls. This latest sensory thrill in Cortina d'Ampezzo is the creation of Raniero Campigotto, manager of the  Rifugio Col Gallina, who turned the Starlight Room Dolomites from dream to reality.

A pleasant combination of open, powered- white sands and smaller, secluded beach fronts make St. Kitts the ultimate beach destination. The southeastern peninsula undoubtedly hosts the finer beach scene, picturesque pale sand and tropical blue waters, while the north tends to present a more rustic feel with darker, volcanic sands. The western, Caribbean side of the island flaunts calmer seas, while the eastern, Atlantic coast boasts a wild, breezier shoreline.