India

December 1, 2014 by Jeremy

Exotic Luxury Breaks To Try In 2015

This fabulous hotel in India is an example of what awaits you on exotic luxury breaks around the world ... photo by CC user mckaysavage on Flickr

INDIA

India may only sound simple with its five-letter name but with its diversities in its landscapes, culture, people, religion, time zones and history, you might expect a longer hard to pronounce name. An entire subcontinent with exotic sounds, smells and sights will linger in your memories for a lifetime.

The most iconic monument in India is the token of love, the Taj Mahal, which is a wonder of the world; however, India has a lot more to offer beyond this dazzling monument. It is a land of magnificent castles, palaces, forts, temples, bustling cities and stunning beaches. You can shop until you drop in Jaipur, relax in a houseboat in Kerala, drink tea in Darjeeling, go on a tiger safari in Central India and meditate in the Buddhist monasteries in Leh, Ladakh.

Enjoy luxuries in India’s opulent palace hotels; traverse the country in luxurious train rides, stay in boutique and heritage hotels or retreat to rural homes in the cool hill stations. Greaves India are a renowned specialist for luxury India holidays if you need further advice.

SOUTH AFRICA

Just as the name suggests, you do not have to struggle locating this destination on a world map. South Africa is home to unforgettable experiences, remarkable adventures and incredible scenery; from lofty mountains to vast jungles and stunning coastline and from sun-baked deserts to lush valleys, it is the envy of other African countries.

It is the home of excellent game viewing where seeing penguins and elephants, sharks and lions is the norm. Its National Parks are vast and have some of the best infrastructure in the whole of Africa. Luxurious lodges and tents scatter the parks for the ultimate game viewing experiences.

Cape Town is one of the world’s most picturesque cities surrounded by breathtaking natural scenes including the towering Table Mountain, dense forests, manicured vineyards and the dramatic coastline. It is also soaked in history and culture evident in Victoria and Alfred Water Front, Cape Town’s main hub offering free entertainment, a variety of shops, restaurants and museums. South Africa produces some of the best wines in the world, hence prepare to wine and dine in style.

TURKEY

From ages past, to date, Turkey has been an international destination for centuries. Weary travelers from the East and the West found a haven of tranquility and settled in this Eurasian country. The result is an intriguing blend of cultures, fascinating architecture, interesting history and stunning historical treasures, perfect for a luxury break.

Istanbul is the capital of Turkey a city of contrasts where the old and the new pair in breathtaking harmony. Ancient mosques and Byzantine churches stand side by side as if trying to recite what happened to the world while the modern suburbs of Istanbul flourish.

Turkey has something for everyone; historical buffs can enjoy exploring the ancient castles, palaces and battlefields, cultural fanatics can soak up in culture in museums and the city of Ephesus and for those who cannot resist lazing along the pristine beaches, Antalya and Bodrum will be a fine treat.

As a world famous destination, Turkey has a lot to offer the luxury travelers including luxurious resorts, yachts, villas, boutique hotels and fabulous dining experiences.

January 2, 2014 by Jeremy

Five Awesome Places to Walk it Out

Faroe Islands

As the importance of taking up an active lifestyle has become more apparent in recent years, interest in active vacations has increased.  While many activities available in holiday destinations can be costly, such as skiing in winter, golfing in summer, or SCUBA diving in tropical locales year round, the easiest and most fulfilling activity of all costs next to nothing: walking.

By going along at your own pace, you get your body in motion while picking up on details in your surroundings more easily than if you were speeding along in a tour bus, or on a bike.  All over the world, there are many ideal locations where one can go on walking holidays that will fill them with awe and wonder.

In this article, we focus on five awesome places to walk it out.  Let’s start by focusing on…

1) Pertisau, Austria

Set before a pristine lake and backed by the towering Austrian Alps, Pertisau in Austria stands as one of the best places in the world to get your walk on. Here, you’ll be walking in the former footsteps of aristocrats, kings, and emperors, who favoured this location to get away from the pressures of their responsibilities. Strolling through the alpine fields suspended high above the tour boats of Lake Achensee, you will feel a sense of peace that one simply can’t find in the mundane residential developments back home!

2) Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, India

Situated high in the foothills of the Himalayas, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a world away from the noise, pollution and chaos of urban India.  This special place will allow you to spot many species of plants and animals that call this protected area their home, such as rhododendrons and leopards. Additionally, the locals that live here lead a way of life completely different from their city brethren, giving an opportunity for a unique cultural exchange that are increasingly tough to come by these days.

3) Faroe Islands

Sitting in the midst of the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland and Iceland, the Faroe Islands are a hauntingly beautiful fortress of solitude that you will remember long after you have been here.  Walking along the tracks of the sparsely inhabited countryside here will lead to many encounter with sheep, as well as waterfalls, cliffs, dramatic coves, and lighthouses. Just be sure to pack a sweater, as conditions are cool even during the peak of the summer (the average temperature is just 11 degrees Celsius at that time).

4) Marrakesh and the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

From walking amongst the lively bazaars of the capital Marrakesh, to the refreshing coolness of the High Atlas Mountains (the roof of North Africa), a walking holiday in Morocco is an experience in exoticism and high country hiking all rolled into one. Bear witness to the immaculate hospitality of the Berbers, then take of their guides into the heart of Morocco’s surprising green heart, as the highest mountains in Africa outside of Kilimanjaro trap moisture from the dry air, creating rain and life where you might not expect it.

5) Cyprus

Boasting exquisite views along the coast and up in the Trodos Mountains, Cyprus has much to offer the active traveler.  Many tracks along the effervescent shore are delightfully unspoiled, with many private beaches begging to be discovered. In the interior, the Trodos Mountains are filled with the scent of pine and festooned with many gorgeous wildflowers on its slopes, and they offer a cooler alternative to the lowlands during the peak summer months.

Overall, many nations across the world offer ample opportunity to get away from the bustle of the big city and to reconnect with nature.  All you have to do is make for the nearest nature preserve, mountain range or coastline, and explore around … you’ll be surprised with what you might find!

October 29, 2013 by jfalbelda

Enjoy an authentic taste of Goa

One of the wonderful things about travelling in India is that there is so much varied cuisine to try. The differences in the food from state to state can be immense, so if you’re something of a gastronome a trip here really is a fantastic journey for your taste buds.

Goa, in the south of the country, has its own distinct cuisine and what makes it stand out from much of the rest of India is the profusion of seafood on the menu. While many parts of India offer predominantly vegetarian fare, Goan specialities often feature fish thanks to its location on the coast.

Many spices and flavours are used in Goan cooking due to the number of spice plantations in the state, where a wide variety of fresh spices, fruits and nuts are cultivated.

The following are just a few of the dishes you should try during your holiday in Goa.

Goa, India

Goan fish curry

We’ve already mentioned that seafood is a staple in Goa and one dish that you will come across time and time again is the local fish curry. Almost any kind of fish can be used to make this simple but tasty dish and it’s a firm favourite with families in the state, as well as travellers.

Among the flavours in a Goan fish curry are coconut, ginger, tamarind, raw mango, garlic, tomato and, of course, chilli. In fact, red and green chillies are typically included in this dish. It’s normally served with plain boiled rice, so you can fully appreciate all of the spices.

Pork vindaloo

Thanks to the strong Portuguese influence in Goa, there are several meat dishes that are staples in the state that you won’t find anywhere else in India, and pork vindaloo is just one of these.

This spicy dish is a favourite on Indian restaurant menus in the UK, but you won’t taste anything quite like the version you get in Goa back at home. The fresh ingredients used in cooking here give the sauce and marinated meat an intense flavour that is quintessentially Goan – not one to be missed.

Chicken cafreal

This is another dish that has been influenced by the Portuguese settlers and it is not as spicy as other Goan cuisine. Chicken cafreal sees the meat marinated in a mildly spicy green coconut masala sauce and then fried. It’s often served on its own with a squeeze of lemon juice, rather than as part of a main meal.

Chillies, cloves, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and tamarind are among the spices used to create the paste that seasons the chicken.

Bebinca

Anyone with a sweet tooth needs to try bebinca – multi-layered cake that is made from coconut pancakes. Each layer is cooked separately and you can’t start a new layer until the last one has been completed.

Cooking the perfect bebinca is something of an art form in Goa, partly due to the amount of time it takes to prepare. This sweet treat is traditionally served at Christmas, but is available throughout the year in the state.

A word of advice – if you want to sample the best cuisine Goa has to offer, make sure you try some of the dishes on sale at the beach shacks. These are typically quite simple but taste delicious and if it’s seafood that you’re after you won’t find anywhere serving meals with fresher ingredients.