Travel and destination features

Shirley Heights Lookout, Antigua

12/2/2016

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No trip to Antigua is complete without at trip to Shirley Heights Lookout, one of the most popular tourist activities on the island. Home to a BBQ party complete with a live steel drum band and arguably some of the best views on the island, it isn't to be missed.

Every Sunday at around 4pm, throngs of tourists descend upon Shirley Heights to catch the sun setting over the postcard perfect English Harbour, which is dotted with sleek yachts and stylish sail boats .

Food and drink options at Shirley Heights Lookout

Shirley Heights Lookout has an onsite restaurant and bar, serving up strong rum punch cocktails and a BBQ feast including a variety of meat options such as grilled pork, chicken, cheeseburgers and ribs served with potato salad and garden salad. There’s not really anything for vegetarians to enjoy, so do keep that in mind if you’re a veggie! While the food here is steeply priced (and only OK quality wise), we felt it added to the overall experience.

Dance to the steel drum band at Shirley Heights Lookout

We were amazed by the 14-member steel drum band, which had everyone on their feet dancing to popular songs. The charasmatic drummers never missed a beat as they performed song after song, making their performance seem almost effortless.

After the steel drum band had finished playing, a live band took over the entertainment, playing top pop songs to keep the party atmosphere alive.

The party tends to wind down around 7:30pm when local taxis start to arrive to collect visitors. At around 8pm, we left Shirley Heights with smiles on our faces, still buzzing from the performances. Overall, we'd definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Antigua.

Top tips for visiting Shirley Heights

Ensure that you wear sensible shoes as there are very steep drops and you don’t want to lose your footing when you’re capturing that all important sunset shot!
Be prepared to wait in long queues to be served food and drink

A.A. Miln

Looking for accommodation in Antigua? We recommendSugar Ridge and Keyonna Beach Hotel - two gorgeous luxury resorts that boast impressive locations and superb service.

Ready to book your escape to Antigua? Check out the offers below from Booking.com...

Booking.com

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Kauai Five-0

12/2/2016

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'Roosters and romance'
Fall in love with the 'island of discovery'...

While it's becoming increasingly difficult to find bits of Hawaii that are truly unspoilt from modern day commercialism, Kauai still possesses some of the charm that many of the Hawaiian islands lack.

The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain, and the fourth largest of the Hawaiian islands, this beautiful island also known as the “Garden Isle,” is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Emerald valleys, tropical rainforests and soaring cliffs juxtaposed against the crystal clear blue ocean, demand awe from even the most seasoned traveller.

As soon as you arrive, it becomes apparent that this is a destination like no other. Many parts of the island remain remote, accessible only by sea or air, adding to its mystical allure. Wherever you go, you're certain to find amazing hospitality and a carefree attitude embraced by all of the locals. And surprisingly, you'll also find yourself surrounded by a more than a few more unique island natives - roosters.

Locals often debate how the roosters came to arrive on the island, with one of the theories revolving around Hurricane Iniki, which Hit Kauai in 1992, decimating chicken farms and setting them free to roam.

However they came to live on the island, they don't appear to be going anywhere any time soon. That being said, once you've settled into your surroundings, you'll hardly notice their presence - even with the inevitable 4 am morning crows.

What to see and do during your visit to Kauai...

Whatever you do during your visit to Kauai, ensure that you allow yourself enough time to truly relax. Whether you're an adventure enthusiast or a sun lounger lizard, there really is something for everyone here.

Must-see destinations in Kauai

For those visiting the North Shore, sail around the Napili Coast, take in the art galleries at Hanalei Town or visit the Kilauea Lighthouse, a wildlife sanctuary with sensational views. If you're heading to the East Shore, a.k.a 'Coconut Coast', take in the amazing Opaekka Falls or the Fern Grotto, a popular wedding destination. If your travels take you to the West side of the island, check out the famous Waimea Canyon or Hanapeepee Town, Kauai's 'biggest little town'.

The Kauai Coffee Company - Hawaiian Coffee at its best

Regardless of which side of the island you choose to visit, ensure that every day is spent enjoying the sun upon your face with a mug of premium Hawaiian coffee in hand. With the internationally renowned Kauai Coffee Company on the island (the largest coffee estate in the U.S.), you're never far away from a great cup of coffee.

If like me, you're looking for the perfect equation for the 'good life', start with sun, sea, sand, scenery and sensational coffee and you're half way there.

Until next time - 'Mahalo'.

For more information on Kauai or Hawaii, visit:
http://www.gohawaii.com/uk/
http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/

For killer coffee, visit:
http://www.kauaicoffee.com

A.A. Miln

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Spotlight On: Lausanne

12/2/2016

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A seriously stylish city that's bursting with culinary and cultural delights...

When the Lausanne Tourist Board invited me to experience the pleasures of Lausanne first-hand, I jumped at the chance, despite being fully aware of how chilly Switzerland would be in November! Now, I'll be honest, before I'd visited I knew very little about Lausanne, so it was definitely an eye opening experience to learn what a wonderful city it was as well as experience the sheer abundance of things to see and do there.

Despite Lausanne being the second largest city on Lake Geneva (after Geneva), with 130,000 residents, it retains its small town charm, which is evidenced by its friendly locals. The city is built on three hills, which our host informed us is what gives the ladies of Lausanne the 'best legs in Switzerland'. Resting on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes and the majestic Alps, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to capturing envy-inducing holiday photos.

During this trip I was hosted by the lovely Lausanne tourism board and the stunning Hôtel de la Paix. Thanks also to Durig Chocolatier for a wonderful chocalate-making experience. All words and opinions are my own.

A.A. Miln

During our whirlwind weekend in Lausanne, our jam-packed schedule afforded us with the opportunity to see the best that the city had to offer.

Where to stay in Lausanne
Our base for the weekend was the gorgeous Hotel de la Paix, a modern hotel with unparalleled views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. I was fortunate enough to have a balcony overlooking the lake, which provided me with the perfect vantage point for seeing the city in all its glory.

The Lausanne public transport system
For those who don't drive, Lausanne has a highly efficient public transport system, which makes getting around a breeze. We found both the trains and buses very frequent and easy to use. It also beats walking around in the cold! All visitors staying at a hotel in Lausanne are provided with a Lausanne Transport Card, which provides visitors with free use of all transport as well as discounts on the boat crossing between Lausanne-Ouchy and Evian.

What to do in Lausanne
There is an abundance of activities to experience in Lausanne. Culture vultures will love the variety of museums on offer including: The Olympic Museum, theCollection de l'Art Brut and the Musee de l'Eysee(Museum of Photography) amongst others.

Shopping in Lausanne
Those who are into shopping (myself included), will love the unique shops on offer from designer shops to independent boutiques. During our visit, we perused the wealth of quirky, high end home interiors and accessories at Chic Cham, a must for any design afficiando.

Lausanne for foodies
Foodies will love the wealth of upmarket food shops and fabulous restaurants in Lausanne. During our visit, we popped into Globus (an upmarket department store),Manor (a smart looking grocery store with a bakery and a large selection of gourmet foods), and Particules Fines (a food shop selling edible delights and premium international foods). If you're in Lausanne during the weekend, ensure that you pop by the local market, where you'll be able to buy fresh produce, cheeses, flowers and much, much more. It is very popular with the locals, so you'll get a true taste of Lausanne life.

Restaurants in Lausanne
As one one expect from any fine city, Lausanne has a fabulous restaurant offering. From traditional Swiss cuisine (think fondue and cured meats) served at Pinte Besson and Cafe Du Grutli to laidback fare at Cafe de Grancy to modern fare at Brasserie de Montbenon, the only limit is your appetite! If that's not enough and you want to be seriously indulgent, finish it all off at Barbere, home of the most sinfully delicious hot chocolate in Lausanne.

Swiss chocolate - chocolate at its finest
Of course no trip to Switzerland would be complete without a visit to a chocolatier. During our visit, we tried our hand at chocolate making at Chocolaterie Durig, a boutique chocolatier run by Dan Durig and his team of chocolate artisans. Here you'll find a rich selection of chocolate bars, truffles and chocolate specialities.

Overall, it was a fabulous holiday that I'd definitely recommend to anyone looking for a varied holiday in a gorgeous city!

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Amazing Amalfi

12/2/2016

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What to see and do when visiting the Amalfi Coast...

There are few places in the world more naturally stunning than the Amalfi Coast. A breathtaking assault on the senses, it lures you in like a seductive siren from the moment that you arrive. Pastel houses cling precariously to the jagged cliffs, providing their occupants with spectacular views of the aquamarine waters below.

It's safe to say that those with vertigo (or the health and safety obsessed) are probably best giving this destination a miss, as steep cliffs with gasp-inducing drops are par for the course here.

And let's not even mention the roads. Locals have no qualms zipping around hair-pin bends at break-neck speed, happily passing on double yellow lines - even on blind corners. But hey, what's the good life if you can't live a little! From the smiles on everyone's faces, it would seem that any cares quickly dissipate after taking in the views and enjoying a slower pace of life.

What to Eat and Drink on the Amalfi Coast

Wherever you go, the food is fantastic. Meals here are a leisurely affair, with both visitors and locals whiling away the hours in restaurants and cafes, eating and drinking while taking in the sun.

Seafood is fresh and abundant here, which means you'll be able to find many restaurants along the beach serving the catch of the day, which is typically freshly grilled. After a delicious meal, enjoy an ice cold Limoncello (an Italian liqueur made from lemons), which feels remarkably refreshing - especially if you've indulged in a carb-laden meal!

Restaurant and Italian Cooking class in Salerno

If you're looking for a bit of food inspiration, visit Al Convento in the quaint village of Cetara in Salerno. This traditional Italian restaurant and pizzeria in the heart of the Amalfi Coast, is the perfect place to enjoy Italian fare with a Mediterranean twist.

If you fancy trying your hand at whipping up your own Italian delicacies, sign up for one of Al Convento's cookery courses, where you'll learn how to prepare a variety of traditional dishes like Mama used to make.

Al Convento
16 Piazza San Francesco
Cetara Salerno, 84010, Italy

Boating on the Amalfi Coast

A boat trip is a must during any visit to the Amalfi Coast. From the vantage point of the boat, you can see the Coast in all of its spectacular glory.

If you have a skipper's license, you can charter your own boat for a full or half day. For those who aren't as sea savvy, you can hire a boat complete with a skipper, from a variety of companies.

Positano Boats has a great selection of beautiful boats to choose from and will also provide you with a map, so that you can easily navigate your way along the Coast.

As each town along the Coast is as beautiful as the other, it's worth taking the time to stop off at a variety of destinations to see the charms of each area first-hand.

Top Tip: If you want a dining experience fit for Bond, dine at La Conca del Sogno. Accessible only by boat, this stunning restaurant is in a league of it's own. After all, it's all about location, location, location!

Shopping on the Amalfi Coast

If it's shopping you're after, Positano is the destination in the Amalfi Coast for seeking retail therapy.

For a truly bespoke experience, treat yourself to a pair of luxury handmade sandals at Safari. Located just above Positano's main beach, here you'll find a wealth of supple leather straps and decorative accessories to choose from for the creation of your sandals. At only 40-50 Euros per pair, it's a snip for how luxurious you'll feel. We guarantee you'll be looking for any excuse to show off your beautifully adorned feet!

Italian Ceramics in Positano - Ceramica Assunta

Italy is renowned for its ceramics. At Ceramica Assunta, you'll be spoilt for choice with the dizzying array of ceramics on offer.

I love the geometric-patterned ceramics, which feel both modern and sophisticated while maintaining a traditional charm. If you're worried about your luggage weight, there's no need, as they will happily provide international shipping to most destinations

Accommodation on the Amalfi Coast

Accommodation on the Amalfi Coast is renowned for being eye-wateringly expensive, so ensure that you book early to save on costs.

You'll find a wealth of unique (and relatively reasonably priced) accommodations on the Costa Divina website.

For those who want to treat themselves and completely blow the budget, hire a private villa fromBorgo San Michele.

Overall, the Amalfi Coast is an amazing destination for those who are seeking the perfect combination of sun, sea, culture and cuisine, all wrapped up to create one of the most intriguing destinations in the world.

Divertiti!

A.A. Miln

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Shirley Heights Lookout, Antigua

Kauai Five-0

'Roosters and romance'
Fall in love with the 'island of discovery'...

Spotlight On: Lausanne

A seriously stylish city that's bursting with culinary and cultural delights...

Amazing Amalfi

What to see and do when visiting the Amalfi Coast...