18 November 2019

Mauritius, a tropical island paradise and arguably Africa's wealthiest destination, is one of the world's top luxury tourism destinations. It possesses a wide range of natural and man-made attractions, enjoys a tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, attractive beaches, tropical fauna and flora complemented by a multi-ethnic and cultural population that is friendly and welcoming. These tourism assets are its main strength, especially since they are backed up by well-designed and run hotels, reliable and operational services and infrastructures. Mauritius received the World Leading Island Destination award for the third time, as well as the World's Best Beach award, at the World Travel Awards in January 2012. (Source: Wikipedia) Here are 10 things you might not have known about the beautiful island of Mauritius. 1. The total area is around 2000 sq. kilometres with 330 km of coastline mostly surrounded by coral reefs. The capital of Mauritius is called Port Louis and over 40% of the population live here. Mauritius has 20 other smaller islands under its administration. 2. Although the official language is English. Most people in Mauritius speak French and Creole. However, important Government communiqués are given in English and then translated in to French for the whole population. 3. The island is segmented into 9 districts. These districts are called Grand Port, Savanne, Moka, Plaine Wilhems, Pamplemousses, Black River, Port Louis, Flacq and Riviere du Rempart. Other islands that belong to Mauritius are Rodrigues and Agalega. 4. The flag of Mauritius is represented in 4 colours. These are Red, Blue, Yellow and Green. Mauritius gained the flag during its independence on the 12th of March 1968. Each colour on the flag of Mauritius has a meaning. Red means freedom. Blue means the colour of the sea, (the Indian Ocean). Yellow means the sunshine and Green refers to the agriculture of Mauritius. 5. The laws are more or less based upon the French civil laws.6. With a complicated ethnic mix, about 30% of the population is of African descent and the rest is mostly of Indian descent, both Hindu and Muslim. Political allegiances are organised according to class and ethnicity. 7. The Dodo, an extinct flightless bird was found only on Mauritius and no where else. 8. Sugarcane is the main crop grown here and sugarcane fields use 80% of the land. Tea is also widely grown here. 9. There are no wild animals, even the snakes are of the non-poisonous variety 10. The seven coloured earth at Chamarel is one of the most well known attractions. It consists of seven different coloured sand dunes, mainly, red, brown, violet, green, purple, blue, and yellow. If you're interested in visiting this desert island paradise either as a couple or a family we have the right resort for you all year round. Why not ask my advice on which is right for you and your budget and I'll do the rest.

18 November 2019

There are many factors to consider once you decide to head out on a luxury African safari. Research and planning is something we do regularly and it can be a real minefield of different options and so hopefully we can shed a little light here. A Safari comes in many different shapes and sizes, and they are certainly not all created equal. We're going to focus on the more luxury type of safari, the sort of experience that will wow you from the moment you touch down on the private runway, until your last encounter with wildlife you’d never imagined you’d get close to. If coincidentally you are in the process of deciding right now where you should go, when you should travel, and what you want your safari to look like, we hope is that this short guide will help you in making the best decision for your own luxury safari experience. Safari Accommodation Whether you want the luxury of a suite with its own private plunge pool, or the romance of sleeping under canvas in one of the many tented camps - you will be assured of a wonderful and unforgettable safari experience at many private lodges across Africa. A private safari lodge gives you the opportunity to have up close viewing opportunities with an experienced and knowledgeable guide, wonderful accommodation, and all-inclusive rates. You might hear the phrase “tented camp” and think that this type of accommodation might be a step up from camping, but fear not. The tented camp can definitely be a luxury experience if you find the right one. Note that while both game-lodge safaris and tented-camp safaris have their own charms, we would generally recommend a tented-camp safari if you only have one or two nights. If you have a few days, go for a game lodge. Safari Landscapes When choosing a country for your luxury African safari, the most popular destinations right now are Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. There are definite differences in the various terrains. In Kenya and Tanzania, you’ll experience vast plains teeming with herds of animals. If you've heard of the big African skies, this is where you'll find them and we promise you'll be in awe, perfect for a balloon safari in fact. In South Africa, it is more a case of often seeking out animals in the bush. Before you think that’s not as exciting, it definitely has it’s thrills. Your vehicle driver/guide knows exactly where to find the animals and when they do, it adds to the thrill of discovering them. Another thing to consider is whether your lodge is inside a private reserve or is part of a National Park. Private reserves offer a more exclusive experience because you are able to escape the crowds and experience the wilderness without encountering a lot of other vehicles. Only the game viewing vehicles belonging to the lodges situated in the reserve are allowed to drive on the land, and many times are restricted to 2-3 vehicles at any one wildlife sighting. Compare this to heading out to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara (Kenya) and you might share your experience with 50 other vehicles at the same time. As you can imagine this can rather kill the authenticity. Time of Year The Great Migration is active in Tanzania’s Serengeti from November to July and in Kenya’s Masai Mara from August to October. Botswana is a year-round destination though popular in September and October when rainfall is at its lowest in many areas and game viewing is best. In South Africa, it is advisable to visit during the dry season, roughly between April and September, when permanent waterholes attract animals and the vegetation becomes thinned out and obviously easier to see the wildlife. One thing to keep in mind - even Africa’s top luxury safari camps and lodges will have an off season or quieter period, ask what the price difference is between high and low season, often there’s very little and you might get a better deal on your luxury safari if you are able to book outside of peak season. Every person has their own idea of what they want from their luxury safari, and it’s important that you share that vision with your travel agent so they can help guide you to the best experience for you!  With so much choice out there, we help you get rid of the overwhelm and send you off on this trip of a lifetime. Contact me if you’d like to chat more about your trip!

18 November 2019

Alila Ubud is a tranquil hillside retreat that sits high up on the edge of the rich green Ayung River valley in Bali's central foothills. Blending contemporary design and traditional Balinese architecture, the secluded courtyards, spacious terraces and private gardens create an intimate feeling like none other. All rooms offer stunning views of the lush tropical vegetation surrounding the valley. Alila Ubud’s pool has been voted one of the 50 most beautiful pools in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Alila Ubud lies in the traditional Balinese hill village of Payangan, on the banks of the mystical and magical Ayung River. Alila Ubud is just five kilometres from Bali's artistic centre of Ubud, a place where artists, writers and musicians from around the world find their inspiration. Here guests can visit a number of art galleries and museums, see dramatic and opulent temple festivals and dances, to take in the magic of the real Bali. Details At A Glance All Ubud is located in the traditional hill village of Payangan, on the banks of the Ayung River and just 5km from the centre of Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali 6 room categories. Entry level is the Superior followed by Deluxe, Ballet Villa, Pool Villa, Terrace Tree Villa and a spectacular Two Bedroom Pool Villa. The Plantation Restaurant is open under a traditional thatched roof and serves authentic Asian and Balinese dishes. Alila Ubud also has a fully equipped gym and beautiful spa. I Like It Because...... Spectacular award winning infinity pool overlooking the valley Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the resort Complimentary morning Yoga and Tai Chi classes Daily poolside afternoon tea which is complimentary and often joined by the monkeys! Free shuttle service into central Ubud Ideal for couples looking for an intimate wedding in a beautiful setting. For more details on Alila Ubud and to start planning your Bali retreat contact me