04 December 2012

I recently had the honour of travelling onboard the Rovos Rail. And what an honour it was! I have in the past been on all forms of transport but have decided that travelling on the Rovos Rail is the only way to travel! Named the Most Luxurious Train in the World, it stands its name proud. From the red carpet treatment that awaits you at the entrance, to the string quartet playing softly in the background and sipping fine Champagne and nibbling canapés - it takes you back to the old Victorian Era. From the 5 Star suites each with their own individual bathroom, the quality of the fine dining and wines, and the consistent first class service from the crew, this experience will not disappoint you. Take a journey from Cape Town to Pretoria or Pretoria to Durban or the Victoria Falls. This train only travels at 60km per hour, so it gives you all the time you will need to soak up the surroundings whilst sipping your choice of beverage in the observation carriage - which is outside! All meals and beverages are included as well as having the opportunity of stocking up your own mini bar with biltong, peanuts, wines, beers, soft drinks and champagne. Having the luxury of having your own tea & coffee butler, makes for a perfect wake up in the morning! Not to mention having your very own 24 hour personal butler taking care of your every requirement. This experience is a MUST for every person’s bucket list!

06 August 2012

On the 21 of July 2012, I was invited to join World Leisure Holidays in reviewing their hotels around the beautiful island of Mauritius. A 5 Star service on Air Mauritius made the 4 hour flight from Johannesburg seem like a quick hop, skip and a jump. The fantastic in-flight service (food, movies, seating) and friendly cabin crew’s smiles made the journey even more exciting! The immigration queues are quick and painless, thanks to South African’s not needing visas. Our first stop and overnight sleep was at 4 Star La Pirogue on the West Coast. What a lovely hotel. I was most impressed that all rooms were at ground level. This hotel has will suit the honeymoon and family clients alike. It shares restaurants and water sports with its sister hotel, 5 Star Sugar Beach. Aptly named Sugar Beach as the colouring of the rooms remind me of tea/coffee and sugar! The colonial feel of Sugar Beach left a warm feeling in my heart not to mention the bath that is situated so you can see the ocean whilst relaxing in bubbles! After a night at Sugar Beach, we made our way to the One&Only Le Saint Geran on the East Coast. This hotel will not disappoint you if you are expecting to be pampered. Almost everything from Nespresso coffee to Aromatherapy fragrances whilst you sleep to DVD's are all complimentary in your room. While Dad plays a good round of golf, Mom can be pampered in the Spa and kiddies can be taken care of at the Kiddies club with theatre, movies, snorkelling, lunch and even a little arts and crafts. Whilst on our way to Saint Geran, we popped into the Veranda Hotels around the North East Coast. These hotels are all 3 Star and offer superb 3 Star qualities! Point aux Biches is a barefoot concept hotel, offering a foot blessing and encouraging guests to walk without shoes feeling the sand between your toes. They cater for both families and honeymoon couples alike. This was by far my favourite 3 star hotel. We then moved onto Veranda Grand Baie. As this hotel is not known for its beach, I would encourage guests to stay here if you like shopping and the buzzing of the small village life. It is typical Creole architecture and very vibey and lush with thousands of coconut trees all around the property. From there we stopped off at Paul & Virginie Hotel, famously called this for the "Romeo & Juliet" Mauritian myth. This hotel favours couples. It has a good but small stretch of beach, but the infinity pool which looks like it rolls into the sea is perfect for cocktails and a little R&R. Our next night was spent at my other favourite hotel, the new 5 Star Long Beach Hotel on the East Coast. It is completely different to what you would expect to find in Mauritius. Fine lines, contemporary style, white and balau wood with different colours lighting up the hotel, it has its own world inside the gates. 3 Pools (heated and un-heated), 5 restaurants from pizza to fine dining, 3 bars - you are spoilt for choice. All rooms are built so that each guest will have a view of the Indian Ocean. Everything has been thought of in this hotel and you are likely to meet some management as they interact with their guests at every moment making sure you are well taken care of. Our last stop and night was spent at the famous Top 100 Leading Hotels of the World, Le Touessrok. It is world known for its Bernard Langer designed golf course on Ilse aux Cerf Island and the romantic getaway on the private island of Ilse Mangerie - both a complimentary 10 minute boat ride away! For those guests with children, this hotel has a great kiddies club, and for mom wanting some R&R, spoil yourself at the Givenchy Spa. If for a honeymoon, the Frangipani side is quiet and tranquil or reserve your very own Villa, with butler and personal chef and private beach. I would suggest you take a catamaran cruise along the reef to view the spectacular waterfalls or try your hand at Para-Sailing whilst enjoying a typical Mauritian "Braai" on the boat! We also had a quick visit to the Veranda Palmar Hotel. This hotel is plain and simple and will suit the lower budget but still offering all that a 3 Star hotel can offer. Saying "Goodbye" to Mauritius is always difficult and you will want to go back very quickly!

10 May 2011

Aaahhhh..Soft white sands, see through blue waters, palm trees and spices... These are my thoughts of my holiday to the Maldives! Flying to the Maldives is somewhat long but the picture that hits you when you arrive on your island is magical! You are welcomed with a tall refreshing cocktail and a cool face towel as the temperature is humid and warm and breezy... The chalets are near each other yet far apart to make you feel you the only couple on the island. You have the choice of Beach chalets or chalets with Jacuzzi's or Water Chalets. I opted to stay longer but staying in a beach chalet instead of staying shorter in a water chalet... Walking out of my chalet in the morning onto the soft white sand and dipping my toes into the blue warm water was to become my routine. The coral and underwater sea life is absolutely breathtaking - there is a whole world under the sea waiting to be discovered by diving and snorkelling. Activities kept us very busy - some to be paid for - but worth every cent! If you're an avid fisherman - then take the opportunity of going out in a Maldivian Dhoni to try your art at hand-line fishing or deep sea fishing (Giant Trevalli's) - you are sure to catch something... otherwise experience the Dhoni on a Sunset Cruise... Why not indulge in a romantic 5 course dinner at a location on the island of your choice. Or better yet, climb aboard the Robinson Crusoe boat for 3 days and experience the un-inhabited atolls whilst indulging in Lobster and Champagne. Talking of food, don't expect to come home and fit in those skinny jeans... the food is on display and every chef there stands by the food he has created and is proud to dish you up some of the most delicious meals. There is such a variety - it is almost hard not to go back for a second plate. Buying an all-inclusive option is the only way to go... with prices in Dollars and Euros, who wants to worry about the bill at the end of your holiday that is so relaxing. Your waiter is with you for most of your holiday indulgence - so he gets to know exactly what you like to eat and drink and makes for good conversation! After 10 days on a remote island... It was hard to say goodbye... The boat ride back to the airport was long and tedious as all I wanted to do is turn around and go back! You can take a sea- plane if you think you might get a bit sea-sick but the view from the bottom and the top is exquisite! The best time to go the Maldives is from November to April.... but even a few showers wouldn't put me off! All I can say is - Go to the Maldives and experience it for yourself!